cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproduction among protobranch bivalves of the family Nuculidae from sublittoral, bathyal, and abyssal depths off the New England coast of North America

Abstract Protobranch bivalve species of the family Nuculidae pass through either a planktonic lecithotrophic larval stage or a direct non-planktonic development. Oogenesis of the three sublittoral species examined is synchronous. Deposition of egg masses by Nucula delphinodonta and spawning by Nucula annulata and Nucula proxima occur only during summer months. Among the four bathyal and abyssal species, Ennucula similis , Ennucula granulosa , Deminucula atacellana , and Brevinucula verrilli , oogenesis is asynchronous and there is no discernable pattern of periodicity of spawning. Absence of periodicity in reproduction in these deep-sea species is confirmed by examination of individuals from dredge samples taken at different times of the year. The median apparent fecundity among both sublittoral and deep-sea species is directly related to size (i.e. shell length) and age. Among the Nuculidae the median apparent fecundity is greater among sublittoral than bathyal and abyssal species. The geographic distribution of a species depends on its capacity to disperse. The dispersal of the planktonic lecithotrophic larvae of the sublittoral species N. annulata and N. proxima is limited to the continental shelf of the northwestern Atlantic by inshore bottom circulation and because these very small planktonic larvae ( D. atacellana .
The eosinophil peroxidase-hydrogen peroxide-bromide system of human eosinophils generates 5-bromouracil, a mutagenic thymine analogue.

Eosinophils use eosinophil peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and bromide ion (Br-) to generate hypobromous acid (HOBr), a brominating intermediate. This potent oxidant may play a role in host defenses against invading parasites and eosinophil-mediated tissue damage. In this study, we explore the possibility that HOBr generated by eosinophil peroxidase might oxidize nucleic acids. When we exposed uracil, uridine, or deoxyuridine to reagent HOBr, each reaction mixture yielded a single major oxidation product that comigrated on reversed-phase HPLC with the corresponding authentic brominated pyrimidine. The eosinophil peroxidase-H2O2-Br- system also converted uracil into a single major oxidation product, and the yield was near-quantitative. Mass spectrometry, HPLC, UV−visible spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy identified the product as 5-bromouracil. Eosinophil peroxidase required H2O2 and Br- to produce 5-bromouracil, implicating HOBr as an intermediate in the reaction. Primary and secondary bromamines a...
Initial Studies with the Lightning Detector on the C/NOFS Satellite, and Cross Validation with WWLLN

AbstractThe lightning detector (LD) on the Communications/Navigation Outage Forecast System (C/NOFS) satellite uses a pair of silicon photodiodes, viewing each flank at right angles to the satellite track over an extended field of view. The data product is a report every ½ s of the number of digitizer cycles (125 μs each) for which the detected power was in predefined ranges. The performance of this system over the first 2.5 years of the C/NOFS mission is discussed, statistics of its lightning observations are presented, and a statistical cross validation using the World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) as a ground truth is provided. It is found that the LD reports of lightning, despite their blunt timing (½ s), show correlation with strokes detected and located by WWLLN. The irradiance of these strokes lies on the high-power flank of the irradiance distribution seen earlier by the FORTE satellite. Thus, the LD thresholds favor high-power lightning; it is shown that the closest portion of the field...
Abstract 1436: The Cdk5 activator p39 specifically links muskelin to myosin and regulates stress fiber organization and contraction

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a proline-directed serine/threonine protein kinase, regulates signaling pathways implicated in the adhesion and migration of various cell types. Activation of Cdk5 requires its association with its activators p35 or p39. We have recently shown, in lens epithelial cells, that Cdk5 kinase activity regulates rho-dependent myosin phosphorylation, cytoskeletal contraction, and cell migration by controlling Src-p190RhoGAP signaling. In a separate line of investigation, we demonstrated that the N-terminus of p39 binds myosin essential light chain (MLC), while the C-terminus of p39 binds muskelin, a multi-domain scaffolding protein. As both muskelin and MLC have been associated with cytoskeletal organization, the present study seeks to determine whether p39 might serve as an adaptor that links muskelin to myosin and to investigate the possible biological relevance of such an interaction. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that muskelin forms a protein complex with p39, MLC, myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC), and myosin heavy chain II (MHC II). Suppressing expression of p39 abrogated the interaction between muskelin and the myosin subunits, demonstrating that p39 is required to link muskelin to myosin. Immunofluorescence staining showed that muskelin colocalized with MRLC and actin-containing stress fibers. Suppressing muskelin expression with either of two different siRNAs significantly reduced MRLC phosphorylation and disrupted stress fiber organization. Similar effects were observed when Cdk5 activity was inhibited or suppressed. Moreover, suppressing muskelin expression prevented any further reduction of MRLC phosphorylation when Cdk5 activity was blocked, indicating that muskelin plays an important role in Cdk5-dependent regulation of MRLC phosphorylation. The Cdk5 activating protein p39 was necessary and sufficient for Cdk5-dependent regulation of myosin phosphorylation, as suppression of p39, but not p35, significantly reduced MRLC phosphorylation. Together, these results demonstrate that the Cdk5 activating protein p39 specifically links muskelin to myosin and thus, to stress fibers. Therefore, p39 has a dual role in cytoskeletal regulation: on one hand, it is an integral subunit of Cdk5 kinase; on the other, it acts as an adaptor protein to recruit muskelin to stress fibers. Each of these p39 functions is required for myosin phosphorylation, cytoskeletal contraction, and efficient cell migration. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1436. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1436
Synapses, Synaptic Activity and Intraneuronal Aβ in Alzheimer's Disease

β-amyloid peptide accumulation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Aberrant β-amyloid buildup in the brain has been shown to be present both in the extracellular space and within neurons. Synapses are important targets of β-amyloid, and alterations in synapses better correlate with cognitive impairment than amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles. The link between β-amyloid and synapses became even tighter when it was discovered that β-amyloid accumulates within synapses and that synaptic activity modulates β-amyloid secretion. Currently, a central question in Alzheimer’s disease research is what role synaptic activity plays in the disease process, and how specifically β-amyloid is involved in the synaptic dysfunction that characterizes the disease.
Some fundamental aspects of the continuumization problem in granular media

The central problem of devising mathematical models of granular materials is how to define a granular medium as a continuum. This paper outlines the elements of a theory that could be incorporated in discrete models such as the Discrete-Element Method, without recourse to a continuum description. It is shown that familiar concepts from continuum mechanics such as stress and strain can be defined for interacting discrete quantities. Established concepts for constitutive equations can likewise be applied to discrete quantities. The key problem is how to define the constitutive response in terms of truncated strain measures that are a practical necessity for analysis of large granular systems.
Predictive factors of the outcome of traumatic cervical spine fracture in children.

Abstract The uncommon traumatic cervical spine fractures and dislocations were studied in 227 consecutively treated children (1 to 17 years of age). Lower cervical spine injuries (C-3 to C-7) affected 73% of our patients. However, among the 38 patients younger than 8 years of age, 87% had an injury at the C-3 level or higher ( P
Integrating performance, live electronics, and interactive video

Abstract This paper deals with the use of the interactive, virtual reality software program “Mandala,” listing the necessary hardware and software, and describing the logistics of an actual performance setup. In addition to describing the normal functions of this software, some unconventional applications are also presented as they relate to the author's interactive performance work entitled “Solitaire.”
Influence of amphetamine sulfate on cerebral metabolism and blood flow in man

Cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen and glucose utilization and mean blood pressure were determined in a series of humans before and after the intravenous administration of amphetamine. Amphetamine sulfate, 20 mg., increased mean blood pressure, and reduced cerebral blood flow and oxygen uptake in the majority of subjects.
TALEN utilization in rice genome modifications.

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), the newly developed and powerful genetic tools for precise genome editing, are fusion proteins of TAL effectors as DNA binding domains and the cleavage domain of FokI endonuclease. As a pair, the central repeat regions of TALENs determine the DNA binding specificity for the two sub-target sites; and the dimeric non-specific FokI cleavage domains cause a DNA double strand break (DSB) between the bound sequences. In vivo, cells repair the DSBs through either non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway or homologous recombination (HR) pathway. Various methods have been developed for easy and fast assembly of TALEN genes for their utilization in a variety of eukaryotic cells or organisms. Here we present a TALEN-based rice genome modification protocol including constructing modularly assembled TALENs, rice transformation, and mutant screening.
High school physical educators' and sport coaches' knowledge of resistance training principles and methods.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge that current and preservice high school (HS) physical educators and sport coaches possess regarding the principles and methods involved in youth resistance training (RT) and to determine if that knowledge was acceptable based on a predetermined criterion (passing score). A panel of 10 experts in RT or sport pedagogy used a Delphi technique to create a 90-question assessment (examination) that was administered to 287 HS physical educators and sport coaches and 140 university physical education teacher education (PETE) students. An analysis of the results revealed that neither group demonstrated the minimal knowledge necessary to design, implement, and supervise RT programs based on a passing score of 75%: HS physical educators/coaches, mean = 59.30, SD = 14.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 57.64�60.96], t(286) = -18.61, p = 0.000; university PETE students, mean = 56.61, SD = 16.59, 95% CI = 53.84�59.38, t(139) = -13.12, p = 0.000. The pass rate for physical educators and sport coaches was 14.3% and for university PETE students it was 20.7%. The results of this study indicate that both current and preservice physical educators and sport coaches need additional education and training specific to the design and implementation of RT programs for HS students. Given that school districts typically require their educators attend in-service training programs, it may be advisable to develop an in-service program that allows both current and preservice HS physical educators and sport coaches to earn an RT certification that specifically addresses the unique physical and psychosocial needs of school-aged youth.
Characterization and Structural Studies of the Plasmodium falciparum Ubiquitin and Nedd8 Hydrolase UCHL3

Like their human hosts, Plasmodium falciparum parasites rely on the ubiquitin-proteasome system for survival. We previously identified PfUCHL3, a deubiquitinating enzyme, and here we characterize its activity and changes in active site architecture upon binding to ubiquitin. We find strong evidence that PfUCHL3 is essential to parasite survival. The crystal structures of both PfUCHL3 alone and in complex with the ubiquitin-based suicide substrate UbVME suggest a rather rigid active site crossover loop that likely plays a role in restricting the size of ubiquitin adduct substrates. Molecular dynamics simulations of the structures and a model of the PfUCHL3-PfNedd8 complex allowed the identification of shared key interactions of ubiquitin and PfNedd8 with PfUCHL3, explaining the dual specificity of this enzyme. Distinct differences observed in ubiquitin binding between PfUCHL3 and its human counterpart make it likely that the parasitic DUB can be selectively targeted while leaving the human enzyme unaffected.
Endurance and Discernibility

How can an object remain the same, numerically identical, while undergoing change? This is a worry for endurantists, who hold that for any stages, x and y, of a persisting object, x is numerically identical with y. Endurantists might try to avoid the problem of change by insisting that all properties are temporally anchored. It is argued here that while this strategy helps in many cases, it does not help in all. A type of case is presented in which a property is time-indexed but the property is one that an object exemplifies at only one time in its career. The choice between the A theory and the B theory of time (in particular, presentism versus eternalism), and how that bears on the problem presented here, is also considered. It is argued that regardless of our views about the nature of time, so long as objects persist through time while undergoing change, the risk of violating the Indiscernibility of Identicals remains a serious threat to endurantism.
Diel Vertical Migration of Zooplankton in Contrasting Habitats of the Chesapeake Bay

Two different habitats in the Chesapeake Bay were tested for the occurrence of diel vertical migration (DVM) by members of the zooplankton community. During July of 1997 diel samples were collected from Jones Creek, a small, protected, 3-m deep tidal gut, and a station in Hampton Roads, a 20-m deep, expansive section of the bay. Temperature, salinity, light penetration, water clarity, dissolved oxygen, total particulate nitrogen and carbon, chlorophyll concentration, and algal density were also determined for depth increments at these stations, ca. midday and midnight. Significant differences in zooplankton depth distribution occurred over the day at both stations. The calanoid copepod,Acartia tonsa, dominated the zooplankton community and the larger stages were strong migrators. Mysid shrimp, the largest sized crustaceans, displayed significant DVM at both stations. Although diel differences were also detected in chlorophylla concentrations, with 25% reduction at night in Jones Creek and 18% in Hampton Roads, counts of algal cells revealed no differences between night and day numbers. The nightly losses of chlorophyll were not driven by mesozooplankton grazers. Using grazing rates from the literature, we estimated that mesozooplankton harvested less than 5% of the standing crop of phytoplankton each day in both locations. Food quantity and quality (as determined by chlorophyll concentrations, cell counts, and C:N ratio) were uniform in the Jones Creek water column, but higher near the surface in Hampton Roads. While it was clearly advantageous for zooplankton to migrate to surface waters at night for feeding in Hampton Roads, it is paradoxical for DVM to persist in Jones Creek when ample food was found in deeper water.
The rate of loss of water from mars

[1] Photolysis of CO2 in the upper atmosphere of Mars results in escaping oxygen and residual CO. Proceeding at a rate of .5–3 × 1010 mole yr−1, this process could reduce all of the atmospheric CO2 to CO in 20–140 Myr. The persistence of CO2 is maintained by re-oxidation of CO through several processes that duplicate the classical water-gas reaction, resulting in the destruction of water at a rate of a few mm per Myr. Owing to the continual decay of the solar EUV flux, oxygen escape and water loss have diminished with time roughly as t−2. If, as seems likely, a predominantly CO2 atmosphere appeared within 100 Myr of the formation of the planet, Mars should have lost several hundred meters of water over geologic time. Since very little carbon has escaped, the mass of the atmosphere has not been much greater than at present during the past 3.5 Gyr.
Emergence and mating in Scolytus multistriatus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae).

Emergence of adult Scolytus multistriatus Marsham from naturally infested elm logs held under 3 environmental regimes was monitored during 1971 and 1972. The major emergence occurred within an 8- or 9-dayperiod in June and peaked between the 4th and 6th days after initial emergence. The overall sex ratio of emerging adults was 1:1 and there was no significant difference in the diel pattern of emergence of the sexes. In 1972 females predominated during the earlier part of the emergence period while males predominated in the later, but this pattern was not observed in 1971. Adults emerged at all times of day under constant conditions (26.7°C, 74% RH) but exhibited strong diel patterns peaking between 11 AM and noon during 1971 and from 8-9 AM during 1972. Emergence of beetles reared under ambient conditions and in an environmental chamber (12 h at 31.1°C; 12 h at 16.7°C) in 1971 also peaked strongly between 11 AM and noon. Adults did not emerge at or below 20 °C. Males demonstrated a propensity for multiple matings. When caged with an elm bolt and 100 females, a single male fertilized an average of 17 females. Increasing the number of males per 100 females resulted in higher numbers of fertile galleries, but even when the sex ratio was 1:1 some galleries were sterile. Insemination occurred on elm twigs and on an artificial substrate. Field-trapping inseminated females confirmed that mating commonly occurs prior to their arrival at the breeding site.
Propagation of quasiplane waves along an impedance boundary

The parabolic approximation for the acoustic equations of motion is applied to the study of the sound field generated by a time harmonic plane wave at grazing incidence to a finite impedance boundary. The resulting equations possess a solution which may be expressed in terms of the complementary error function. Asymptotic expansion of this solution for field points near the boundary provides results compatible with those for a point source on the boundary for both the soft boundary (finite impedance) and hard boundary (the limit in which the impedance becomes infinite) cases. The presence of a surface wave in the solution is also established.
Microstructural characteristics of HIP-bonded monolithic nuclear fuels with a diffusion barrier

Due to the limitation of maximum uranium load achievable by dispersion fuel type, the Global Threat Reduction Initiative is developing an advanced monolithic fuel to convert US high-performance research reactors to low-enriched uranium. Hot-isostatic-press (HIP) bonding was the single process down-selected to bond monolithic U–Mo fuel meat to aluminum alloy cladding. A diffusion barrier was applied to the U–Mo fuel meat by roll-bonding process to prevent extensive interaction between fuel meat and aluminum-alloy cladding. Microstructural characterization was performed on fresh fuel plates fabricated at Idaho National Laboratory. Interfaces between the fuel meat, the cladding, and the diffusion barrier, as well as between the U–10Mo fuel meat and the Al-6061 cladding, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Preliminary results indicate that the interfaces contain many different phases while decomposition, second phases, and chemical banding were also observed in the fuel meat. The important attributes of the HIP-bonded monolithic fuel are: • A typical Zr diffusion barrier with a thickness of 25 μm. • A transverse cross section that exhibits relatively equiaxed grains with an average grain diameter of 10 μm. • Chemical banding, in some areas more than 100 μm in length, that is very pronounced in longitudinal (i.e., rolling) direction with Mo concentration varying from 7–13 wt.%. • Decomposed areas containing plate-shaped low-Mo phase. • A typical Zr/cladding interaction layer with a thickness of 1–2 μm. • A visible UZr2 bearing layer with a thickness of 1–2 μm. • Mo-rich precipitates (mainly Mo2Zr, forming a layer in some areas) followed by a Mo-depleted sub-layer between the visible UZr2-bearing layer and the U–Mo matrix. • No excessive interaction between cladding and the uncoated fuel edge. • Cladding-to-cladding bonding that exhibits no cracks or porosity with second phases high in Mg, Si, and O decorating the bond line. • Some of these attributes might be critical to the irradiation performance of monolithic U–10Mo nuclear fuel. There are several issues or concerns that warrant more detailed study, such as precipitation along the cladding-to-cladding bond line, chemical banding, uncovered fuel-zone edge, and the interaction layer between the U–Mo fuel meat and zirconium. Future post-irradiation examination results will focus, among other things, on identifying in-reactor failure mechanisms and, eventually, directing further fresh fuel characterization efforts.
Cyclic actions and divisible polynomials

Abstract Let g : M 2 n ⟶ M 2 n be an orientation preserving P L map of period m > 2 . Suppose that the cyclic action defined by g is locally linear P L , fixing a locally flat submanifold F with components only of dimension 0 or 2 n − 2 , and regular. Let ϕ ( m ) be Euler’s number and ρ ( m ) = ϕ ( m ) − 1 if m is a power of 2 and ρ ( m ) = ϕ ( m ) otherwise. If Sign ( g , M ) is a rational integer, then Sign ( g , M ) ≡ Sign F ( mod 2 ρ ( m ) ) . This congruence is used to show that a codimension-2 locally flat submanifold of cohomology complex projective n -space fixed by g must have degree one if m ≠ 4 or 10 and n ϕ ( m ) + 4 .
Evaluation of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomographic scanning and its association with glucose transporter expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytoma: A clinical and molecular study

Abstract Background. Imaging of metastatic sites of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is successful in less than 60% of cases of residual or recurrent disease. Positron emission tomography (PET) with [ 18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy- d -glucose (FDG) takes advantage of the fact that malignant tumors are capable of increased uptake and use of glucose, which is mediated by the members of the glucose transporter family of proteins (GLUT 1 through GLUT 5). Methods. FDG-PET images of 10 patients with recurrent or persistent MTC after primary operation were compared with images by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Identified metastatic lesions were assessed by intraoperative findings and pathology reports. Expression of GLUT 1 through GLUT 5 was examined by Western blot analysis of tumor tissue from eight of the patients evaluated and an additional panel of 10 MTCs and seven pheochromocytomas. Results. FDG-PET identified 31 foci of FDG accumulation in 10 patients, and 16 of these metastatic sites were resected and confirmed by histologic analysis. Only 11 foci were demonstrated by computed tomographic or magnetic resonance imaging. None of the glucose transporters examined displayed significant expression. Two pheochromocytomas were successfully imaged by FDG-PET. Conclusions. FDG-PET imaging can be useful in the localization of cervicomediastinal MTC metastases and pheochromocytoma. The increased glucose uptake in these tumors, as evidenced by FDG-PET, does not appear to be attributable to the expression of the glucose transporter proteins GLUT 1 through GLUT 5.
Growth and Gaps in mathematics achievement of students with and without disabilities on a statewide achievement test

This study estimated mathematics achievement growth trajectories in a statewide sample of 92,045 students with and without disabilities over Grades 3 to 7. Students with disabilities (SWDs) were identified in seven exceptionality categories. Students without disabilities (SWoDs) were categorized as General Education (GE) or Academically/Intellectually Gifted (AIG). Students in all groups showed significant growth that decelerated over grades as well as significant variability in achievement by student group, both at the initial assessment in Grade 3 and in rates of growth over time. Race/ethnicity, gender, parental education, free/reduced lunch status, and English language proficiency were also significant predictors of achievement. Effect size estimates showed substantial year-to-year growth that decreased over grades. Sizeable achievement gaps that were relatively stable over grades were observed between SWoDs and students in specific exceptionality categories. Our study also demonstrated the importance of statistically controlling for variation related to student demographic characteristics. Additional research is needed that expands on these results with the same and additional exceptionality groups.
Modern Languages in the American College Curriculum: The Coming of Age

This article traces the path taken by modern languages into the American college/university curriculum. It begins with the Colonial Era and concludes with the World War I Era. Some of the arguments for and against the teaching of modern languages are identified, as well as the unique relationship enjoyed between modern languages and a liberal arts education.
After Decentralization: Patterns of Intergovernmental Conflict in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico

Recent scholarship on the political determinants of decentralization has been useful for explaining initial decisions by national elites to decentralize, but the electoral independent variables favored by these analyses are insufficient to explain the complex process of decentralization over time. Distributional conflicts involving national chief executives and subnational governments occurring after decentralization is initiated shape the process in ways that alter initial conditions. This study assesses change in the degree, pattern, and pace of decentralization in four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. Copyright , Oxford University Press.
MIMETIC FINITE DIFFERENCE METHODS FOR MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS AND THE EQUATIONS OF MAGNETIC DIFFUSION

We have constructed mimetic finite difference methods for both the TE and TM modes for 2-D Maxwell's curl equations and equations of magnetic diffusion with discontinuous coefficients on nonorthogonal, nonsmooth grids. The discrete operators were derived using the discrete vector and tensor analysis to satisfy discrete analogs of the main theorems of vector analysis. Because the finite difference methods satisfy these theorems, they do not have spurious solutions and the "divergence-free" conditions for Maxwell's equations are automatically satisfied. The tangential components of the electric field and the normal components of magnetic flux used in the FDM are continuous even across discontinuities. This choice guarantees that problems with strongly discontinuous coefficients are treated properly. Furthermore on rectangular grids the method reduces to the analytically correct averaging for discontinuous coefficients. We verify that the convergence rate was between first and second order on the arbitrary q...
Clay enriched silk biomaterials for bone formation.

Abstract The formation of silk protein/clay composite biomaterials for bone tissue formation is described. Silk fibroin serves as an organic scaffolding material offering mechanical stability suitable for bone-specific uses. Clay montmorillonite (Cloisite® Na + ) and sodium silicate are sources of osteoinductive silica-rich inorganic species, analogous to bioactive bioglass-like bone repair biomaterial systems. Different clay particle–silk composite biomaterial films were compared with silk films doped with sodium silicate as controls for the support of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in osteogenic culture. The cells adhered to and proliferated on the silk/clay composites over 2 weeks. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed increased transcript levels for alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and collagen type 1 osteogenic markers in the cells cultured on the silk/clay films in comparison with the controls. Early evidence of bone formation based on collagen deposition at the cell–biomaterial interface was also found, with more collagen observed for the silk films with higher contents of clay particles. The data suggest that silk/clay composite systems may be useful for further study for bone regenerative needs.
VLSI architecture and chip for combined invisible robust and fragile watermarking

Research in digital watermarking is mature. Several software implementations of watermarking algorithms are described in the literature, but few attempts have been made to describe hardware implementations. The ultimate objective of the research is to develop low-power, high- performance, real-time, reliable and secure watermarking systems, which can be achieved through hardware implementations. The development of a very-large-scale integration architecture for a high-performance watermarking chip is presented which can perform both invisible robust and invisible fragile image watermarking in the spatial domain. The watermarking architecture is prototyped in two ways: (i) by using a Xilinx field-programmable gate array and (ii) by building a custom integrated circuit. This prototype is the first watermarking chip with both invisible robust and invisible fragile watermarking capabilities.
THE POSITION-DEPENDENT REACTION FORCE CONSTANT IN BOND DISSOCIATION/FORMATION

The concept of a position-dependent reaction force constant K(R) can be used to distinguish the two phases of bond dissociation or formation: stretched bond, K(R) > 0, and interacting but separate fragments, K(R) < 0. The transition between these phases is at K(R) = 0, which coincides with the minimum (for dissociation) or maximum (for formation) of the reaction force. As was shown earlier, all of these occur (for diatomic molecules) at the separation R at which the system's energy relative to equilibrium is about 27% of its dissociation energy.
Effects of modulation of nitric oxide on acoustic startle responding and prepulse inhibition in rats.

Abstract The nitric oxide-arginine pathway is intimately connected to the release of dopamine and glutamate, two neurotransmitter systems that may be dysfunctional in schizophrenia. In addition, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors share several behavioral effects with the psychotomimetic drug, phencyclidine. Previous research has found that phencyclidine-like drugs disrupt prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response, an animal model of sensorimotor gating, an attentional process that is disrupted in certain neuropsychiatric disorders in humans (e.g., acute schizophrenia). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of nitric oxide modulators in this model. Following injection with a nitric oxide modulator or phencyclidine, rats were placed in startle chambers in which they were exposed to acoustic pulses presented alone or preceded by a prepulse. As in previous reports, phencyclidine disrupted prepulse inhibition at doses that did not affect startle during pulse alone trials. In contrast, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, N G -nitro- l -arginine ( l -NOARG) and N G -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), dose-dependently decreased startle during pulse alone trials, but neither drug affected prepulse inhibition. A nitric oxide precursor, l -arginine, produced similar results. Sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide releaser) and 7-nitroindazole (a third nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) did not affect startle amplitudes during pulse alone or prepulse+pulse trials. The present results suggest that modulation of nitric oxide synthesis or availability does not disrupt sensorimotor gating of the acoustic startle response and is probably not involved in mediation of this type of attentional deficit in humans.
Immobilized isocitrate dehydrogenase: Some aspects of its catalytic, chemical and immunological properties☆

Abstract Isocitrate dehydrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii has been immobilized on Sepharose 4B with an efficiency of between 60 and 75%. The immobilized enzyme is assayed by a flow technique which monitors a final steady state level of product formation. By the assay system described it is estimated that the immobilized enzyme retains between 30 and 40% of the catalytic activity of the free enzyme. Studies have been carried out on the substrate dependence of the enzyme. The enzyme requires magnesium ions with optimal concentrations of 10−3 m and above. The dependence on isocitrate and TPN+ concentrations was determined and analyzed by double-reciprocal plots. The immobilized enzyme is inactivated by DTNB [5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)] and reactivated by DTT (dithiothreitol). The DTNB-modified enzyme can be reactivated by potassium cyanide. Comparison of these reactions with those of the free enzyme suggest that the steric environment of the active site was not grossly altered by immobilization. Some supporting evidence is derived from the identity of the energies of activation, 16,600 cal/mole, of free and immobilized enzyme catalyzed oxidation of isocitrate. Furthermore, the immobilized enzyme is inactivated by antibody prepared against the free enzyme. The covalently attached enzyme is resistant to tryptic digestion except in the presence of 2 m urea. This suggests that exposed lysyl residues which may be the primary site of attack by trypsin are utilized in immobilization. Treatment of the enzyme with 2 m urea unfolds the enzyme to a conformation which has very little activity but which recovers full activity upon removal of the urea. Interaction of the enzyme with antibody suggest that the antibody reacts univalently. The second valence can be satisfied by addition of free enzyme. The free enzyme bound to the immobilized enzyme-antibody complex is active. Preliminary attempts to dissociate the enzyme-antibody complexes have been unsuccessful.
Boundary values for an eigenvalue problem with a singular potential

Abstract The radial Hamiltonian operator H = −d 2 dx 2 − λ x 2 is considered on [0, ∞). While no boundary condition is needed at ∞ in order to make H self-adjoint, one is indeed needed at 0. This article describes in elementary terms how such conditions may be found. The resulting eigenvalue problem is then discussed and its relation to previous work is explained. Other potentials with singularities at 0 are also mentioned.
Some features of the vinblastine-induced assembly of porcine tubulin.

Abstract Porcine tubulin precipitated by 10 −3 , m vinblastine (VLB) contains approximately 0.50 molecule of VLB bound per 110,000-molecular-weight tubulin dimer. The amount of precipitate, followed by turbidity, is a linear function of the initial tubulin concentration. The rate of precipitation is roughly first order in protein concentration. Vindoline and velbanamine halves of VLB are ineffective separately or together in producing the tubular aggregates observed for VLB precipitates by electron microscopy. At 10 −3 , m concentrations no turbidity is observed nor is there any competition with VLB-induced turbidity. Removal of GTP from tubulin by dialysis or incubation of tubulin in the absence of added GTP blocks VLB-induced assembly. Readdition of GTP at room temperature or above restores sensitivity to VLB precipitation. The β,γ methylene analog of GTP cannot substitute for GTP in this process. About 0.7 mol of added GTP is found bound per mole of tubulin dimer. During the course of VLB-induced assembly, roughly half of this GTP is displaced. These results show interesting similarities and differences in the VLB-induced assembly of tubulin and the normal in vitro assembly of microtubules. Further comparisons between both assembly processes should be useful.
Solution phase combinatorial chemistry I. synthesis of polyazacyclophane scaffolds and tertiary amine libraries

Abstract Three novel unsymmetrical polyazacyclophane scaffolds 1–3 were efficiently synthesized in high yields by a new cyclization method followed by selective deprotection. Scaffold 2 was combinatorialized by solution phase simultaneous addition of functionalities to provide 16 pure tertiary amine libraries (total 1600 compounds).
Counting Catholics in the United States of America

Statistics about the Catholic population of the United States have frequently been used for political and ideological purposes, at the same time as they have figured prominently in discussions about the disaffiliation of Catholics from the institutional church. But how are the most commonly cited statistics generated, and to what extent are they reliable? This article reports the results of a new, qualitative study of the procedures by which a randomly selected group of Catholic dioceses and archdioceses in the U.S. obtain and publish their population statistics. In addition to assessing the reliability of the procedures used, this essay also reflects on the theological, ecclesial, and political dimensions of the processes of data collection and reporting. Despite the aspirations of the church workers interviewed, most do not believe that the methods at their disposal permit them to report with accuracy important statistics about the populations of their parishes and dioceses. Factors like the choice of statistical methods, unforeseen events in particular dioceses, and the presence of intra-ecclesial incentives to report both higher and lower statistics all reveal that to count the Catholic population is to engage, wittingly or unwittingly, in a theological and ecclesio-political act.
Pattern Electroretinogram and Psychophysical Tests of Visual Function for Discriminating Between Healthy and Glaucoma Eyes

Purpose To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the pattern electroretinogram (pattern ERG) to that of standard automated perimetry (SAP), short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP), and frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry for discriminating between healthy and glaucomatous eyes. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Eighty-three eyes of 42 healthy recruits and 92 eyes of 54 glaucoma patients (based on optic disc appearance) from the University of California, San Diego, Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study were tested with pattern ERG for glaucoma detection (PERGLA; Lace Elettronica, Pisa, Italy), SAP, SWAP, and FDT within 9 months. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated and compared for pattern ERG amplitude and SAP, SWAP, and FDT mean deviation and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Sensitivities and specificities were compared and agreement among tests was described. Results The area under the ROC curve for pattern ERG amplitude was 0.744 (95% confidence interval=0.670, 0.818). The ROC curve area was 0.786 (0.720, 0.853) for SAP PSD, 0.732 (0.659, 0.806) for SWAP PSD, and 0.818 (0.758, 0.879) for FDT PSD. At 95% specificity, sensitivities of SAP and FDT PSD were significantly higher than that of pattern ERG amplitude; at 80% specificity, similar sensitivities were observed among tests. Agreement among tests was slight to moderate. Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of the pattern ERG amplitude was similar to that of SAP and SWAP, but somewhat worse than that of FDT. Nevertheless, the pattern ERG may hold some advantage over psychophysical testing because of its largely objective nature.
Outlet mall shoppers' intentions to purchase apparel: A dual-process perspective

Abstract Although both cognitive and emotive factors can explain consumer behavior, little research has explored such factors jointly (i.e., a dual-process approach) as antecedents of retail purchases. To address this deficiency, we developed a dual-process model (Study 1) for determinants of intentions to purchase apparel at factory outlet malls, which includes attitudes toward outlet malls, anticipated elation about purchasing apparel from outlet malls, and self-expression via apparel acquisition. In addition, we modeled self-assessed personal expertise about fashion apparel as a predictor of anticipated elation about apparel purchases. Data collected for testing this model support all posited relationships. To assess the need for outlet-mall-specific decision-making models, we gathered additional data (Study 2). These data confirm that shoppers believe that outlet malls differ from traditional malls. Finally, implications for apparel retailers are offered.
Effects of Pain and Prescription Opioid Use on Outcomes in a Collaborative Care Intervention for Anxiety

Objective:To determine the effects of pain and opioid pain medication use on clinical and functional outcomes in 1004 primary care patients with an anxiety disorder randomized to receive the Coordinated Anxiety Learning and Management (CALM) collaborative care intervention (cognitive-behavioral ther
Acute effects of unsaturated fatty acids in splanchnic artery occlusion shock

Abstract Diets enriched with omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids are associated with decreased hypercholesterolemia and decreased risk of ischemic and atherosclerotic diseases. We studied the acute intravascular effects of some of these unsaturated fatty acids (i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) along with omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids, (i.e., linoleic and linolenic acid) in splanchnic artery occlusion (SAO) shock in rats. Anesthetized rats subjected to total occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries for 40 minutes followed by reperfusion usually resulted in a fatal outcome 90–120 minutes after releasing the clamps. SAO shock rats treated with the omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid, EPA, exhibited an improved survival time and rate (p
A process model for understanding adaptation to sexual abuse: The role of shame in defining stigmatization

While sexual abuse in childhood places the individual at-risk for a variety of problems, research indicates wide variation in victims' adjustment. Limited work is available that attempts to systematically explain processes by which children adjust to the trauma. Few studies have been undertaken to examine any theory about what causes children to be symptomatic. This article presents a theoretical and testable model that specifies psychological processes related to the traumagenic dynamics of stigmatization in child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. The model proposes that sexual abuse leads to shame through the mediation of cognitive attributions about the abuse and shame, in turn, leads to poor adjustment. Three factors, social support, gender, and developmental period are hypothesized to moderate the proposed stigmatization process. Developmental and clinical research supporting the model is reviewed, specific hypotheses are made, and the relevance of developmental psychopathology for future theory and research is discussed. Unless future research elucidates the process and circumstances whereby the experience of sexual abuse leads to poor adjustment, little progress will be made toward developing more effective treatments.
Tunneling evidence for bulk superconductivity in pure la films subject to strong band mixing

Abstract Observed persistence of bulk superconductivity in the presence of intense defect scattering precludes a significant role for multiple-band effects in lanthanum's superconductivity. Implications with regard to interpreting earlier surface resistance measurements are discussed.
Metabolic and diagnostic significance of creatine kinase isoenzymes.

Creatine kinase isoenzyme content is frequently used to assess the state of differentiation of muscle and neural tissue and following release into plasma as diagnostic markers for acute myocardial infarction, skeletal muscle disease, and neurologic injury. The establishment of thrombolytic therapy as the standard of care for acute myocardial infarction and new information on the tissue distribution of creatine kinase isoenzymes has necessitated the development of more rapid assays for the diagnosis of infarction and expanded the potential use of these isoenzymes as markers for other disease states.
Differential expression of two distinct xenotropic viruses in NZB mice.

Abstract Two distinct xenotropic viruses have been isolated from New Zealand Black (NZB) mice. One of these viruses (NZB-X1) is spontaneously produced by NZB and NZB hybrid mice. The second xenotropic virus (NZB-X2) is induced by treatment of NZB fibroblasts with IdU. NZB-X1 is distinct in that it possesses a unique surface glycoprotein (gp70) similar to gp70 found free in the serum of all mouse strains tested, but only associated with a virion in NZB mice. NZB-X2 has a gp70 similar to that of xenotropic viruses isolated from mouse strains other than NZB, including xenotropic viruses of NIH Swiss, AKR, NZW, C57BL 6 BALB c , and wild mice, although NZB-X2 gp70 shows more structural relatedness to NIH Swiss and wild mouse xenotropic gp70 than to the others. By backcrossing NZB to NFS Swiss mice, two independently segregating loci have been described which control high and low xenotropic virus expression. Analyses of virus isolates from mice possessing these segregated loci showed that the high expression locus is linked to expression of the spontaneously released NZB virus, NZB-X1. The presence of the low expression locus corresponds with the production of the second xenotropic virus released after IdU treatment, NZB-X2. Using unique structural markers for these two xenotropic viruses, we have examined the phenomena of differential expression of endogenous virus and viral antigens within the NZB mouse. We find, as reported previously, that the predominant gp70 of serum is similar to NZB-X1. However, gp70s expressed on thymus and spleen carry the determinants of NZB-X2. The expression of these gp70s was not a peculiarity of NZB mice, since others tested including C57BL 6 , NZW, and 129 mouse strains showed the same tissue segregation. The differential expression of these xenotropic virus gp70s noncoordinate with virus production points to differential expression of endogenous envelope genes along different differentiation pathways.