cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A pilot study of dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: Hypovolemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may be mediated by natriuretic peptides and can further impair cerebral perfusion in dysautoregulated and vasospastic arterial territories. Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP), derived from the venom of Dendroaspis augusticeps, the Green Mamba snake, has recently been discovered in human plasma and atrial myocardium. There is no information regarding the presence or putative role of this peptide in patients with aneurysmal SAH. METHODS: A sensitive and specific DNP radioimmunoassay was performed on venous blood samples obtained on post-SAH Days 1, 3, and 7 from 10 consecutive SAH patients (cases) and randomly from 9 healthy volunteers (controls). Clinical and laboratory data, including daily serum sodium concentration and fluid balance, were collected prospectively up to 7 days after the ictus. RESULTS: Increase in plasma DNP levels occurred in five (63%) of eight patients who had DNP levels measured on Days 1 and 3 (mean increase, 29%). An increase in DNP level was significantly associated with development of a negative fluid balance (P = 0.003) and hyponatremia (P = 0.008). Three (75%) of the four patients who developed cerebral vasospasm during this study experienced an increase in DNP levels from Days 1 to 3. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to find a significant association between elevated levels of DNP, a new member of the natriuretic peptide family, and the development of diuresis and natriuresis in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Our findings warrant further investigation by means of a large-scale, prospective, case-control study.
Loss of both GATA4 and GATA6 blocks cardiac myocyte differentiation and results in acardia in mice.

Despite significant advances in identifying signaling molecules that induce cardiogenesis in mammals, the transcription factors that control the onset of cardiac myocyte gene expression have remained elusive. Candidates include the zinc finger transcription factors GATA binding proteins 4 and 6 (GATA4, GATA6). The individual loss of either protein in mice results in lethality prior to the onset of heart development due to defects in the extra-embryonic endoderm; however, when this extra-embryonic deficiency is circumvented using tetraploid embryo complementation, cardiac myocyte differentiation initiates normally. Here we show that these factors have redundant roles in controlling the onset of cardiac myocyte differentiation. As a consequence, Gata4−/−Gata6−/− embryos completely lack hearts, although second heart field progenitor cells are still generated. Our data support a model whereby GATA4 or GATA6 are essential for expression of the network of transcription factors that regulate the onset of cardiac myocyte gene expression during mammalian development.
A Note on a Remark of Minami's

Effects of K* on K/sup -/ scattering were considered by calculating the K* pole contribution; a modified propagator was proposed (S. Minami, Prog. Theor. Phys., 26; 356 (1961)). This concept is shown to be superfluous; the case of a scalar, spin zero K* is considered. (L.N.N.)
Designing for the physical margins of digital workspaces: fidget widgets in support of productivity and creativity

We present our ongoing work to develop the concept of physical "margin" spaces around software and a new type of human computer interaction. Our novel "Fidget Widgets" seek to engage users' interrelated bodily motions, affective states, and cognitive functions to selectively enhance creativity, focus, calm, etc. Building playful interactions embodying "mindless" activities like doodling, fidgeting, and fiddling, we are working to demonstrate the value of incidental tangible interactions in the physical spaces surrounding digital workspaces. We intend these secondary interactions to have no intrinsic goals; rather these interactions extrinsically enhance a user's state toward the completion of their primary tasks.
Quantum-classical correspondence principles for locally nonequilibrium driven systems

Many of the core concepts and (especially field-theoretic) tools of statistical mechanics have developed within the context of thermodynamic equilibrium, where state variables are all taken to be charges, meaning that their values are inherently preserved under reversal of the direction of time. A principle concern of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics is to understand the emergence and stability of currents, quantities whose values change sign under time reversal. Whereas the correspondence between classical charge-valued state variables and their underlying statistical or quantum ensembles is quite well understood, the study of currents away from equilibrium has been more fragmentary, with classical descriptions relying on the asymmetric auxiliary-field formalism of Martin, Siggia, and Rose (and often restricted to the Markovian assumption of Doi and Peliti), while quantum descriptions employ a symmetric two-field formalism introduced by Schwinger and further clarified by Keldysh. In this paper we demonstrate that for quantum ensembles in which superposition is not violated by very strong conditions of decoherence, there is a large natural generalization of the principles and tools of equilibrium, which not only admits but requires the introduction of current-valued state variables. For these systems, not only do Martin-Siggia-Rose (MSR) and Schwinger-Keldysh (SK) field methods both exist, in some cases they provide inequivalent classical and quantum descriptions of identical ensembles. With these systems for examples, we can both study the correspondence between classical and quantum descriptions of currents, and also clarify the nature of the mapping between the structurally homologous but interpretationally different MSR and SK formalisms.
Heterozygosity and monomorphism reconsidered

The relationship between heterozygosity and the probability of monomorphism. is evaluated under several competing hypotheses. It is shown that such a relationship alone has very little discriminatory power in distinguishing between the alternative hypotheses unless the selection pressure is quite strong.
A stranger to our camps: Typhus in American history

Medical observers during the American Civil War were happily surprised to find that typhus fever rarely made an appearance, and was not a major killer in the prisoner-of-war camps where the crowded, filthy, and malnourished populations appeared to offer an ideal breeding ground for the disease. Through a review of apparent typhus outbreaks in America north of the Mexican border, this article argues that typhus fever rarely if ever extended to the established populations of the United States, even when imported on immigrant ships into densely populated and unsanitary slums. It suggests that something in the American environment was inhospitable to the extensive spread of the disease, most likely an unrecognized difference in the North American louse population compared to that of Europe.
Dual function of β-catenin in articular cartilage growth and degeneration at different stages of postnatal cartilage development

Purpose The objective of this study was to determine the role of β-catenin in normal postnatal articular cartilage growth and degeneration.
The Ship Money Case, The Case of Shipmony, and the Development of Henry Parker's Parliamentary Absolutism*

Henry Parker's The Case of Shipmony (1640) may be the first intellectually significant political pamphlet of the Long Parliament era. In this crisp and well printed quarto, Parker, a publicist and man of affairs, used issues raised during John Hampden's celebrated test case of 1637 to develop his own political views.Parker wrote in opposition to the royalist majority in the case. But his carefully circumscribed objections to ship money in The Case of Shipmony show him of two minds – his opposition was of a different order from that heard in the house of commons in 1640 and 1641, and was strangely resonant of the royalist arguments. This was not a sign of political timidity. Rather, as Parker grew bolder and as his notions matured in 1640– his views and those of the royalist counsel and judges, mutatis mutandis, became even more congruent. This can be seen by comparing the ship money arguments not only with the positions taken in The Case of Shipmony but also with the idiom of Parker's fully developed thought, which is usually (though excessively) identified with his most famous tract, Observations upon Some of His Majesties Late Answers and Expresses (June 1642).
The mission system design center: a pilot of formulation-phase concurrent engineering in aerospace design

In this paper we describe pilots of a concurrent-engineering, formulation-phase design team demonstrated in spacecraft missions. This “Mission Team” operates within a design center called the Mission System Design Center, where design tools are linked via a central database and use large-screen projection systems to engage the entire team in system-level trade discussions. In these pilots, the Mission Team was able to manage complex trades, resolve conflicts, and rebalance requirements in the face of typical formulation phase issues. This team operates to periodically re-evaluate requirements and resource allocations (e. g., mass, power, funds, datarate) in the face of both externally and internally imposed changes.
The silicon/silica electrode

Electron flow between silicon and an aqueous solution through a thermally grown SiO2 layer is observed after a suitable activation process. The activation is either a heat treatment in vacuum or a negative bias applied to the silicon. The duration required for the cathodic bias is consistent with the time needed to provide a high positive ion density in the SiO2. As the SiO2 becomes more electronically conducting, copious hydrogen evolution begins. If metal ions such as zinc are present, they can be reduced giving metal deposits. If sufficiently high voltage is applied, cathodic luminescence, characteristic of the ions in solution, is observed. When the electronic conductivity is obtained, the system SiSiO2 behaves like a metal electrode, in that current is passed to reducing or oxidizing agents in solution when the electrode potential reaches the Eo for the redox couple. The results are explained in terms of field-aided ion diffusion into the oxide under the cathodic bias, occurring particularly at flaws in the oxide. The potential importance of the results in MOSFET quality control, in ISFET technology, and in basic models of anodic oxidation is discussed. Elektronenflus zwischen Silizium und einer wasrigen Losung uber eine Schicht thermisch gewachsenem SiO2 wird nach einem geeigneten Aktivierungsprozes beobachtet. Die Aktivierung besteht entweder in einer Warmebehandlung im Vakuum oder einer negativen Vorspannung am Silizium. Die notwendige Dauer fur die negative Vorspannung stimmt mit der Zeit uberein, die notwendig ist, um eine hohe positive Ionendichte im SiO2 zu schaffen. Wenn das SiO2 elektronisch starker leitend wird, beginnt eine starke Wasserstoffentwicklung. Wenn Metallionen, wie z. B. Zink, vorhanden sind, konnen sie reduziert werden und dabei Metallniederschlage ergeben. Wenn eine genugend hohe Spannung angelegt wird, wird kathodische Lumineszenz, charakteristisch fur die gelosten Ionen, beobachtet. Wenn die elektronische Leitfahigkeit einsetzt, verhalt sich das System SiSiO2 wie eine Metallelektrode, in der Strom fur die Reduktion oder Oxidation der gelosten Agenzien fliest, wenn das Elektrodenpotential den Wert Eo fur das Redoxpaar erreicht. Die Ergebnisse werden mit der feldunterstutzten Ionendiffusion in das Oxid unter kathodischer Vorspannung erklart, die besonders an Oxiddefekten auftritt. Die mogliche Bedeutung der Ergebnisse fur die Qualitatskontrolle von MOSFET's, fur die ISFET-Technologie und fur grundlegende Modelle der anodischen Oxidation wird diskutiert.
X-ray diffraction study of the cornea

Abstract Low-angle X-ray diffraction patterns have been recorded from the cornea. A fibre diagram was obtained: the reflections from the axial period of collagen were on the equator while reflections from the collagen fibril lattice structure were on the meridian. Only the reflections from tha array of collagen fibrils have been studied. These reflections contain a primary first-order reflection and up to four subsidiary maxima. The first-order reflection from the array provides an estimate of the interfibril separation distance. Evidence is presented that the subsidiary maxima are consistent with the intensity transform of a uniform cylinder with a constant radius. Values for the fibril diameters and the interfibril distances are obtained for corneas from rabbit, cow and frog and from corneas of two marine fishes: toadfish and skate. Although the volume fraction of the collagen fibrils cannot be directly evaluated, an upper limit can be given. Thus, an upper limit of 0.28 was obtained for rabbit cornea.
Endogenicity of economic growth models

Abstract In his celebrated 1956 article, “A Contribution to the Theory of Economic Growth,” Solow calibrated the stylized facts of economic growth observed in the Western developed countries and summed up by Kaldor. Solow reconciled steady-state rate of growth of per capita output with constant capital/output and capital/labor ratios by introducing labor augmenting technological progress and measuring physical labor time in efficiency units. A series of articles have appeared since the mid-1980s, which have substantially extended the neoclassical model of growth theory presented by Solow. Most of these are entitled endogenous in juxtaposition to Solow's model, which is considered and often labeled exogenous. The purpose of this article is to show that this dichotomy is not worthwhile by arguing that the way technological progress enters in Solow's model plays a crucial role. Moreover, the designation of a model need not depend on the way it employs just one element among others.
A faster approximation algorithm for the Steiner problem in graphs

We present an algorithm for finding a Steiner tree for a connected, undirected distance graph with a specified subset S of the set of vertices V. The set V-S is traditionally denoted as Steiner vertices. The total distance on all edges of this Steiner tree is at most 2(1−1/l) times that of a Steiner minimal tree, where l is the minimum number of leaves in any Steiner minimal tree for the given graph. The algorithm runs in O(¦E¦log¦V¦) time in the worst case, where E is the set of all edges and V the set of all vertices in the graph. It improves dramatically on the best previously known bound of O(¦S¦¦V¦2), unless the graph is very dense and most vertices are Steiner vertices. The essence of our algorithm is to find a generalized minimum spanning tree of a graph in one coherent phase as opposed to the previous multiple steps approach.
A Calorimetric Study of the Liquid System Lead(II) Oxide‐Germanium Dioxide at 900°C

The partial enthalpies of liquid lead(II) oxide and of tetragonal germanium dioxide in lead germanate melts were measured calorimetrically at 900°C in the range 0 to 65 mole-% GeO2. The corresponding integral enthalpies of mixing were calculated. A relatively sharp dependence of the partial enthalpies on composition in the range from N = 0.3 to 0.45 probably is due to the formation of Ge2O. Calorimetrische Untersuchung des flussigen Systems Blei(II)-oxid-Germaniumdioxid bei 900°C Die partiellen Enthalpie-Werte fur flussiges Blei(II)-oxid und tetragonales Germaniumdioxid in Bleigermanat-Schmelzen wurden calorimetrisch bei 900°C im Bereich von 0 bis 65 Mol-% GeO2 gemessen. Die entsprechenden integralen Enthalpien der Gemische wurden berechnet. Eine relativ scharfe Abhangigkeit der partiellen Enthalpien von den Zusammensetzungen im Bereich von N = 0,3 bis 0,45 beruht wahrscheinlich auf der Bildung von Ge2O.
The Primacy of “Present Fairly” in the Auditor's Report*

In this paper, the author examines the historical evolution in the United States of the use of the term “present fairly” in the auditor’s report, as well as the experience and arguments in the United States and Canada regarding the use of a “two-part” opinion in the report. He then develops an argument for the adoption of a “two-part” opinion, decoupling “present fairly” from conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which would place primary emphasis on “present fairly”.
AUTONOMIC HYPERREFLEXIA: INTRAOPERATIVE CONTROL WITH PENTOLINIUM TARTRATE

Autonomic hyperreflexia (AH) is a clinical syndrome associated with the development of severe hypertension. It usually occurs in patients with high-level chronic spinal cord injury, and in response to stimuli associated with the distension of a hollow viscus. Protection against AH by the prophylactic use of pentolinium tartrate (Ansolysen) in doses of 10–15 mg was evaluated in a controlled study of unanaesthetized patients who were either quadriplegic or paraplegic and who were undergoing rectal and bladder surgical procedures. When compared with the control group, the systolic and diastolic arterial pressures during operation were significantly less (P
Shapes of beta spectra

A compilation of information on the measured shapes of beta spectra is given. It contains, whenever possible, the numerical coefficients describing the ?correction factor,? C(W) = Nm(W)/Nth(W), where Nm(W) is the measured energy spectrum and Nth (W) is an appropriate theoretical energy spectrum. The information was collected from publications that date roughly between 1957 and July 1966.
Young children are more generous when others are aware of their actions.

Adults frequently employ reputation-enhancing strategies when engaging in prosocial acts, behaving more generously when their actions are likely to be witnessed by others and even more so when the extent of their generosity is made public. This study examined the developmental origins of sensitivity to cues associated with reputationally motivated prosociality by presenting five-year-olds with the option to provide one or four stickers to a familiar peer recipient at no cost to themselves. We systematically manipulated the recipient’s knowledge of the actor’s choices in two different ways: (1) occluding the recipient’s view of both the actor and the allocation options and (2) presenting allocations in opaque containers whose contents were visible only to the actor. Children were consistently generous only when the recipient was fully aware of the donation options; in all cases in which the recipient was not aware of the donation options, children were strikingly ungenerous. These results demonstrate that five-year-olds exhibit “strategic prosociality,” behaving differentially generous as a function of the amount of information available to the recipient about their actions. These findings suggest that long before they develop a rich understanding of the social significance of reputation or are conscious of complex strategic reasoning, children behave more generously when the details of their prosocial actions are available to others.
Evidence for Use: Causal Pluralism and the Role of Case Studies in Political Science Research

Most contemporary political science researchers are advocates of multimethod research, however, the value and proper role of qualitative methodologies, like case study analysis, is disputed. A pluralistic philosophy of science can shed light on this debate. Methodological pluralism is indeed valuable, but does not entail causal pluralism. Pluralism about the goals of science is relevant to the debate and suggests a focus on the difference between evidence for warrant and evidence for use. I propose that case study research provides evidence for use through providing information that bears on the applicability of causal generalizations and risk assessment.
Rescalings of free products of II-factors

We introduce the notation $\mathcal{Q}(1)*\cdots*\mathcal{Q}(n)*L(\mathbf F_r)$ for von Neumann algebra II$_1$-factors where $r$ is allowed to be negative. This notation is defined by rescalings of free products of II$_1$-factors, and is proved to be consistent with known results and natural operations. We also give two statements which we prove are equivalent to isomorphism of free group factors.
Transduced B cells: B is for ‘beneficial’!

B cells have been used as tolerogenic APCs for nearly two decades. However, the ability to transduce B cells for use in gene therapy has been hampered by the low efficiency of transduction of resting B cells. This has been partially overcome by mitogenic activation of these cells, a factor that is not without risks as activated B cells may become pathogenic. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, this challenge is met by achieving high-efficiency transduction of resting murine B cells with a lentiviral vector. Furthermore, the application of this protocol to generate MOG-expressing B cells and successfully prevent EAE, as described in this issue, is an important step forward in B-cell therapy.
A new model for yield stress of magneto-rheological greases/gels under combined effects of magnetic field and temperature

The goal of this study is to develop a new model to describe the behavior of shear yield stress of magnetorheological greases/gels (MRGs) under the combined effects of applied magnetic field and temperature. MRGs are a class of field-responsive materials which consist of micron-size ferrous particles suspended in a grease/gel-like material. The main advantage of a MRG over a MR fluid is that in a MRG, ferrous particles do not settle. However, the rheological properties of grease carrier materials are very sensitive to temperature. Therefore, the temperature effect on the yield stress of MRGs may be one of the main concerns in developing these materials. In this study, the steady-shear magneto-rheological response of MRGs subject to various temperatures is investigated. All experimental data are obtained for magnetic fields ranging from 0.14T to 0.53T and temperatures ranging from 10°C to 70°C. It is observed that temperature has a pronounced effect on the field induced yield stress of MRGs. A new yield stress model for MRGs which is a function of magnetic field and temperature is proposed based on the Herschel-Bulkley constitutive equation and the Arrhenius relationship. Excellent agreement between the model predictions and experimental data is obtained.
Synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro- and 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octafluoroanthracenes via cycloaddition-reversion

Abstract The cycloaddition of 1,2,3,4 tetrafluoro- or 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8- octafluorodibenzobarrelene with tetraphenyl-1,3-cyclopentadienone at 185–195°C affords an unstable adduct which cycloreverts to 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro- or 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octafluoroanthracene and 1,2,3,4-tetraphenylbenzene in excellent yields.
CHEMICAL KINETICS AND ROCKET NOZZLE DESIGN

Abstract : The effect of chemical kinetics on rocket nozzle design was investigated for the particular case of hydrogen gas flowing adiabatically through a typical rocket nozzle having a chamber-to-throat-area ratio of 2 to 1. For comparative purposes the following types of flow were considered: (a) constant composition (frozen equilibrium), (b) instantaneous chemical equilibrium (shifting equilibrium), and (c) kinetic chemical equilibrium. A stepwise iteration process was employed to perform the integration of the differential equation in case (c). In each case the gas entered the nozzle at a temperature of 3500K and a pressure of 20 atm and was allowed to expand isentropically to an exhaust pressure of 1 atm. The results for a mass flow rate of 1000 gm/sec are presented. The instantaneous equilibrium flow assumption not only gives a higher specific impulse, but also requires a larger nozzle than either the kinetic or the constant composition flow assumption. The kinetic equilibrium flow resluts are intermediate between those for instantaneous equilibrium flow and those for constant composition flow, the relative position depending on the magnitude of the reaction rate which governs the kinetic equilibrium.
Comparative Analysis of Green Roof Guidelines and Standards In Europe and North America

Abstract The German FLL Guidelines for green roofs are designed to inform about state-of-the-art performance expectations for green roofs. North America is experiencing steady growth in the green r...
The Influence of the Ecumenical Movement of the XIX Century on the Formation of the Universalist Ideology

At the core of the majority of today’s socio-political and military conflicts lies one reason – the national identity crisis has caused a sharp conflict of values, which, in turn, is the consequence of globalization. The religious norms play the most important role in the formation of a person’s sense of identity. The consideration of the ecumenical movement in the XIX century is indicative for the analysis of the process of globalization, as the Christian church was the forerunner of the universalization through the call for ecumenism. The purpose of this article is to identify the genetic relationship between the properties of ecumenism of the XIX century and the main characteristics of universalization. The method of research is historical-genetic. The study includes the analysis of the dialogue between the three largest Christian confessions – Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches. A wide range of historical sources (letters, diplomatic documents, articles) related to the investigated period has served as the research material. The analysis led to the conclusion that the concept of “ecumenism” underwent a radical change during the XIX century, becoming a specific half-secular ideology akin to the concepts of “liberalism” and “postmodernity”. Herewith, each of these confessions was guided by its own choice of behavioral strategies by special, peculiar only to it, motives, which largely determined the specific national, country and regional identity of XX-XXI centuries. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n11p784
Auditory cortex electrical stimulation suppresses tinnitus in rats.

Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that auditory cortex electrical stimulation (ACES) has yielded promising results in the suppression of patients’ tinnitus. However, the large variability in the efficacy of ACES-induced suppression across individuals has hindered its development into a reliable therapy. Due to ethical reasons, many issues cannot be comprehensively addressed in patients. In order to search for effective stimulation targets and identify optimal stimulation strategies, we have developed the first rat model to test for the suppression of behavioral evidence of tone-induced tinnitus through ACES. Our behavioral results demonstrated that electrical stimulation of all channels (frequency bands) in the auditory cortex significantly suppressed behavioral evidence of tinnitus and enhanced hearing detection at the central level. Such suppression of tinnitus and enhancement of hearing detection were respectively demonstrated by a reversal of tone exposure compromised gap detection at 10–12, 14–16, and 26–28 kHz and compromised prepulse inhibition at 10–12 and 26–28 kHz. On the contrary, ACES did not induce behavioral changes in animals that did not manifest any behavioral evidence of tinnitus and compromised hearing detection following the same tone exposure. The results point out that tinnitus may be more related to compromised central auditory processing than hearing loss at the peripheral level. The ACES-induced suppression of behavioral evidence of tinnitus may involve restoration of abnormal central auditory processing.
The composition and distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in nearshore sediments, river sediments, and coastal peat of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea: Implications for detecting anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs

Abstract A 3-year program, to determine spatial and temporal trends in sediment concentrations of hydrocarbons and metals from oil and gas exploration and development activities, was conducted in the US Beaufort Sea. Concentrations of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Beaufort Sea were elevated in comparison to non-polluted shelf-sediments from other regions of the US coast. Potential natural sources for hydrocarbons that were examined included riverine sediments and coastal peat. Significant quantities of fossil hydrocarbons characterize the surface sediments from the entire region. Sediment inputs from river discharges appear to account for this observation. The use of source-diagnostic ratios has allowed the differentiation of various sources in an area with high naturally-occurring hydrocarbon concentrations where effects due to oil and gas exploration and development activities may be obscured.
ApoA-IV phenotype affects diet-induced plasma LDL cholesterol lowering.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that dietary total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake be reduced to < or = 30% of calories, < 10% of calories, and < 300 mg/d, respectively (step 1 diet), in the general population to reduce plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and heart disease risk. We examined the LDL-C-lowering response to such a diet (26% fat, 8% saturated fat, and 201 mg/d cholesterol) compared with an average American diet (39% fat, 15% saturated fat, and 435 mg cholesterol/d) in 153 subjects using diet periods of 4 through 24 weeks for each diet phase. The mean LDL-C reduction was 13% in men (n = 93) and 7% in postmenopausal women (n = 60). The effect of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV phenotype on responsiveness was examined. LDL-C lowering in men was significantly (P < .005) less (7%) for 17 apoA-IV (1/2) subjects than for 76 apoA-IV (1/1) subjects (16%). In women, 7% lowering was observed in both 12 apoA-IV (1/2) subjects and 48 apoA-IV (1/1) subjects. ApoA-IV phenotype had a significant effect on plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels during both dietary periods; women carrying the apoA-IV-2 allele had higher levels than those homozygous for the apoA-IV-1 allele. The opposite was true for triglyceride levels, but only during the period when the subjects consumed the high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Expression of the vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid protein gene in Escherichia coli: analysis of its biological activity in vitro.

Abstract The nucleocapsid (N) protein genes of vesicular stomatitis virus, serotypes New Jersey and Indiana, were expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) transformed by the recombinant expression vector pET-3a containing N genes under the control of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter. Following induction with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside, the N protein was synthesized, representing 10 to 20% of total cellular protein. The N protein remained in a nonaggregated form in 1 M NaCl solution. The purified N protein was found to be biologically active as demonstrated by its encapsidation of preformed leader RNA as well as its synthesis of genome length RNA in an in vitro transcription-replication reaction. The availability of recombinant N protein in a sufficient amount would facilitate structure and function studies of this important viral protein.
Monitoring fertility to detect toxicity to the male reproductive system

This paper describes measures of fertility for detecting toxicity to the male reproductive system. The limitations of fertility monitoring are noted as well as the advantages and disadvantages of various fertility measures. Time to pregnancy and standardized fertility ratios, two fertility measures about which more is known, are discussed in greater depth.
On the Badulin, Kharif and Shrira model of resonant water waves

Abstract This paper is a reappraisal of the Hamiltonian model derived by Shrira, Badulin and Kharif (BKS) for three-dimensional nonlinear water waves. The model was introduced in [J. Fluid Mech. 318 (1996) 375] in an effort to describe the formation of traveling waves with crescent-shaped features that arise from the instability of the Stokes wave train at moderately large steepness. There have been observations of such traveling waves in wave tank experiments by Su et al. [J. Fluid Mech. 124 (1982) 45–72] and Su [J. Fluid Mech. 124 (1982) 73–108]. Some of the regimes described in these papers are of lightly breaking waves, which are asymmetric, with all crescents facing forward. Other regimes that they observe apparently give rise to traveling waves which have asymmetric crescent-shaped features facing both forwards and backwards. We show that the BKS model describes the Stokes wave train and its loss of stability at moderate amplitudes as a Hamiltonian saddle-node bifurcation, which corresponds to the formation of a stable three-dimensional wave pattern which exhibits asymmetric crescent-shaped elements. The model also produces a family of solutions homoclinic to the unstable Stokes wave train, which surrounds the orbit of crescent-shaped wave patterns and which provides a mechanism for transition. Other traveling wave solutions of the BKS model having nonzero transverse momentum are good candidates for the skew wave patterns possessing characteristic hexagonal shaped structures separated by quiescent stripes which are produced to the sides of the experiments in wave tanks. The BKS model has solutions which satisfy two of the three characteristics specified in [J. Fluid Mech. 318 (1996) 375] for nonlinear crescent-shaped waves, avoiding the introduction of a dissipative mechanism to describe features of these familiar wave patterns. The one weakness of the BKS model is that the crescent-shaped wave patterns are transformed to themselves under time reversal composed with a phase shift. Therefore all of the wave patterns described by the BKS model possess forward and backward facing crescent-shaped elements simultaneously, associated with alternating crests. These solutions reproduce the features of some but not all of the wave patterns in the observations of Su et al. [J. Fluid Mech. 124 (1982) 45–72] and Su [J. Fluid Mech. 124 (1982) 73–108]. In the deep water case, we introduce and analyze a new and more realistic four degrees of freedom Hamiltonian model of water waves which has two principal five wave interactions. While being more complicated and not completely integrable, nonetheless this model has traveling wave solutions with similar crescent-shaped elements, and others with the hexagonal features of the BKS model.
Pesticide Toxicity Index--a tool for assessing potential toxicity of pesticide mixtures to freshwater aquatic organisms

Pesticide mixtures are common in streams with agricultural or urban influence in the watershed. The Pesticide Toxicity Index (PTI) is a screening tool to assess potential aquatic toxicity of complex pesticide mixtures by combining measures of pesticide exposure and acute toxicity in an additive toxic-unit model. The PTI is determined separately for fish, cladocerans, and benthic invertebrates. This study expands the number of pesticides and degradates included in previous editions of the PTI from 124 to 492 pesticides and degradates, and includes two types of PTI for use in different applications, depending on study objectives. The Median-PTI was calculated from median toxicity values for individual pesticides, so is robust to outliers and is appropriate for comparing relative potential toxicity among samples, sites, or pesticides. The Sensitive-PTI uses the 5th percentile of available toxicity values, so is a more sensitive screening-level indicator of potential toxicity. PTI predictions of toxicity in environmental samples were tested using data aggregated from published field studies that measured pesticide concentrations and toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia in ambient stream water. C. dubia survival was reduced to ≤50% of controls in 44% of samples with Median-PTI values of 0.1-1, and to 0% in 96% of samples with Median-PTI values >1. The PTI is a relative, but quantitative, indicator of potential toxicity that can be used to evaluate relationships between pesticide exposure and biological condition.
Synthesis and characterization of a series of trans-[Mo(CO)5(R2PNHCH2CH2NCHC6H4-o-O)]2M (R2 Ph2, OCH2CMe2CH2O; M Co, Ni, Cu) complexes and the crystal structure of trans-[Mo(CO)5(Ph2PNHCH2-CH2-NCHC6H4-o-O)]2Ni · 2Et2O

Abstract A series of heterotrinuclear complexes of the type trans -[Mo(CO) 5 (R 2 PNHCH 2 CH 2 NCHC 6 H 4 - o -O)] 2 M (R 2  Ph 2 , OCH 2 CMe 2 CH 2 O; M  Co, Ni, Cu) have been synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR and VIS-NIR spectroscopy and by measurement of solution magnetic susceptibilities. These studies indicate that the coordination environment of the high spin Co 2+ ion is octahedral while that of the diamagnetic Ni 2+ ion is square planar. Coordination of the Ni 2+ ion to the mononuclear Mo(CO) 5 (R 2 PNHCH 2 CH 2 NCHC 6 H 4 - o -OH) complexes causes quite different effects in the spectra of the diphenylphosphino and dioxaphosphorinane complexes. These differences appear to be due to differences in the intramolecular interactions between the P substituents and bis(salicyladiminato)M groups. The molecular structure of trans -[Mo(CO) 5 (R 2 PNHCH 2 CH 2 NCHC 6 H 4 - o -O)] 2 Ni · 2Et 2 O has been determined. The complex cystallizes from an HOAc/THF/Et 2 O mixture in the monoclinic space group C 2/ c (crystal data: a 37.71(1), b 9.822(1), c 17.91(1) A; α = γ = 90.00(0)°, β 105.45(6)°; Z = 4). The Ni 2+ ion is coordinated to two salicylaldiminato groups in a non-tetrahedrally distorted square planar geometry while the Mo is coordinated to five COs and a P in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. An interesting feature of the structure is the nearly planar stacking of a phenyl ring on each P with the bis(salicylaldiminato)Ni group.
MEASURING TRANSACTION COSTS: DIVERGING APPROACHES, CONTENDING PRACTICES

This paper brings order to the vast conceptual and empirical literature on measuring transaction costs. It critically reviews the broad and diverse landscape of the field of transaction costs measurement, ranging from financial economics, Williamsonian transaction cost economics, the transaction sector, non-marketed transaction costs, environmental economics and natural resource management, institutions and development, and the economics of identity. Three sources of and three approaches to transaction costs are identified. Though the literature as a whole appears in disarray, each research program is driven by its own internal dynamics between conceptual and empirical challenges. The paper proposes that a systematic investigation of the light that the concept of transaction cost sheds on the structure of production stands out as a most promising approach to move the field forward.
Postoperative Mycobacterium avium osteomyelitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction

An 18-year-old male with Escobar syndrome developed Mycobacterium avium osteomyelitis after corrective osteotomy. After three surgical interventions the infection reappeared a fourth time. Repeated attempts at microbiological diagnosis of the granulomatous lesions by microscopy and culture for conventional bacteria and Mycobacteria did not reveal any organism. The diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium finally was achieved by polymerase chain reaction. Extensive immunological work-up did not reveal signs of immunodeficiency. The patient was treated successfully by a combined surgical and chemotherapeutic approach consisting of clarithromycin, ethambutol and ciprofloxacin.
Adaptive systems research in the NASA

The past contributions of NASA to adaptive control technology is reviewed. The review places emphasis on aircraft applications although spacecraft and launch vehicle control applications are included. Particular emphasis is given to the adaptive control system used in the X-15 research aircraft. Problem areas that limited the realizable performance of this adaptive system are discussed. Current technological capabilities are used to extrapolate the present-day potential for adaptive flight control. Specifically, the potential created by use of the modern high-speed digital computer in flight control is discussed. Present plans for research in digital adaptive control systems for the NASA F8-C digital fly-by-wire program are presented. These plans are currently envisioned to include research in at least two types of adaptive controls, the system identification/on-line design type, and the model reference type. The former type is expected to provide spin-off in other important experimental test programs. One spin-off relates to the use of online system identification to improve flight-test procedures. Another relates to the use of self-reorganizing control concepts to establish an on-line design capability that takes advantage of the maximum level of redundancy provided by the entire aircraft control system. This plan would make the flight control system optimally tolerant of system failures in both sensors and actuators.
A new system for heterologous expression of membrane proteins: Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Heterologous expression of membrane proteins has met with only limited success. This work presents a new host/vector system for the production of heterologous membrane proteins based on a mutant of the facultatively phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. Under certain growth conditions, R. rubrum forms an intracytoplasmic membrane (ICM) that houses the photosynthetic apparatus, the structural proteins of which are encoded by puhA and pufBALM. The mutant R. rubrum H2, which was constructed by allelic exchange deleting puhA and pufBALM, does not form ICM. This strain was used as a host for a plasmid expressing the Pseudomonas aeruginosa membrane protein MscL from the Rhodobacter capsulatus puc promoter. ICM was formed in the H2 strain producing MscL but not in the vector control strain. These results suggest that a heterologous membrane protein stimulates ICM formation in R. rubrum and indicate that the capacity to form an ICM that can accommodate heterologous proteins makes R. rubrum a host that will be useful for membrane protein production. P. aeruginosa MscL, which forms inclusion bodies when produced in Escherichia coli, was expressed in R. rubrum H2 and purified from membranes with a yield of 22.8–23.4 mg/L culture (5.53–5.60 mg/g cell paste). Additionally Streptomyces lividans KcsA and P. aeruginosa CycB were produced and purified from R. rubrum H2 with yields of 13.7–14.4 mg/L culture (2.19–2.55 mg/g cell paste) and 6.6–7.4 mg/L culture (1.1–1.2 mg/g cell paste), respectively.
A Mixed Lactobacillus Culture in the Diet of Broad Breasted Large White Turkey Hens

Abstract Two experiments, each of 112 days duration, were conducted with Broad Breasted Large White Turkey hens held in individual cages and floor pens. Dietary treatments were either a control diet or the control diet containing 625 mg/kg of a commercially prepared mixed Lactobacillus culture. Five replicate groups (five hens/group) of individually caged hens received each treatment in Experiment 1, while five floor pens (five hens/pen) and five groups of individually caged hens (five hens/group) were assigned to each diet of Experiment 2. Egg production, daily feed intake, body weight change, fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, and hatchability of all eggs set were measured in both experiments. Egg specific gravity data were collected in Experiment 2. The presence of Lactobacillus in the diet exhibited no beneficial response through any criterion measured.
Extracting the Paradigm—Ouch!

Masuzawa's study unearths the founding genealogy of the study of religion, most pointedly the ubiquitous 'world religions' paradigm that shaped the study and teaching of religion well into our era. She reveals more self-conscious European agendas than those familiar from post-colonial research. The paradigms that effectively constructed the field of religious studies have now locked it into costly and contentious projects of divestment. Adding to Masuzawa's achievement by briefly assessing some other nested assumptions—beginning with Christianity as the prototype for the category of religion itself—this response intends to contribute to her project of historicizing our scholarly sensibilities.
Enabling distributed enterprise integration with WebSphere and DB2 information integrator

Information technology architects increasingly find themselves searching for better ways to access, integrate, and leverage their information, applications, and business processes. Information integration, in particular, is critical to the community of Web-based businesses, as firms that are able to leverage their information resources most effectively are best positioned to emerge as leaders in their industries. In this paper, we explore how companies can solve this complex business challenge by extending the reach of WebSphere® technology with DB2® Information Integrator (II). DB2 II offers WebSphere developers a new approach to coping with diverse and distributed information sources, enabling them to reduce programming costs, shorten development cycles, and attain reasonable levels of performance for server-side components that need to integrate information throughout their enterprises and partner networks.
Employers' pay practices and potential responses to “comparable worth” litigation an identification of research issues

“Comparable worth” is a controversial compensation strategy. In this paper, research issues that arise when employers perform point-based job evaluations, but deviate from them because of “market” factors, are discussed. Greater research attention to the actual operation of markets and to the consequences of conflicts in equity perceptions is encouraged.
Ocean observations with a space-based delay-Doppler altimeter constellation

A constellation of (nominally) three DDA satellites can all be placed in the same orbit plane by a single launch vehicle. Earth rotation spreads their respective nadir tracks by a spacing that is proportional to their along-orbit separation. This constellation which we have called WITTEX (Water Inclination Topography and Technology Experiment) is a candidate approach that would meet nearly all of the requirements identified by the user community for oceanographic altimetry. The WITTEX constellation can be tuned to favor dense spatial coverage, relatively tight temporal coverage, or other priorities. In addition the constellation can be used in a dual-use mode as was Geosat, in that geoid observations over a dense ground track can be made, after which the constellation can be maneuvered into an oceanographic exact repeat mission.
Tools and techniques for knowledge based expert systems for engineering design

Abstract Knowledge Based Expert Systems are emerging as an important tool kit for the development of engineering software. These systems provide a means to solve the ill-structured problems encountered in engineering design. A number of tools exist for the development of these systems. In this paper, the applicability of three such tools - OPS5, SRL, and PROLOG - to engineering design is described. Overviews of knowledge-based expert systems and various problem solving strategies are also provided.
Heat shock proteins: the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ vaccines against cancers and infectious agents

The ability of heat shock proteins to: (a) chaperone peptides, including antigenic peptides; (b) interact with antigen presenting cells through a receptor; (c) stimulate antigen presenting cells to secrete inflammatory cytokines; and (d) mediate maturation of dendritic cells, makes them a one-stop shop for the immune system. These properties also permit the utilization of heat shock proteins for development of a new generation of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases.
Kohlenstoffacylierungen an 1.3‐Dicarbonylverbindungen

Zur Acylierung von 1,3-Dicarbonylverbindungen werden deren Reaktionsprodukte mit Magnesiumathylat mit Acylhalogeniden umgesetzt. Cycloalkanon-(2)-carbonsaure-(1)-ester werden nach dieser Reaktion bei der Aufarbeitung zu α-Acyl-dicarbonsaureestern gespalten, deren Ketonspaltung zu Oxocarbonsauren fuhrt. Der Reaktionsweg stellt eine Moglichkeit zur Verlangerung der Kohlenstoffkette von Sauren dar.