cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using TWINSCAN to Predict Gene Structures in Genomic DNA Sequences

TWINSCAN is a gene-prediction system that combines the methods of ab initio predictors like GENSCAN with information derived from genome comparison. This unit describes the use of TWINSCAN to identify gene structures in eukaryotic genomic sequences. Protocols for using TWINSCAN through its Web interface and from the command line in a Linux environment are provided. Detailed discussion about the appropriate parameter settings, input sequence processing, and choice of genome for comparison are included. Keywords: TWINSCAN; gene prediction; sequence alignment; comparative genome analysis; cross-species sequence comparison; genome annotation
Gestational and family risk factors for carriers of congenital heart defects in southern Brazil

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a serious threat to public health. Despite this, its etiology is poorly understood and few cardiac teratogens have been defined. The aim of the present study was to identify gestational and family risk factors for CHD in a sample of patients from a pediatric hospital in southern Brazil. Methods: A prospective and consecutive sample from subjects with or without CHD, hospitalized at a pediatric intensive care unit, was enrolled. All patients with CHD underwent a GTG-banding karyotype. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 47 subjects (15.8%), and these were excluded from the study. The final sample consisted of 250 CHD subjects and 303 controls. Results: After statistical analysis, using logistic regression, the variables age, rural location, gestational loss, use of anti-hypertensive medication, antibiotics and alcohol in the first trimester of pregnancy were all independently associated with CHD. These results were similar to those of some studies and different from others. It should be noted, however, that, for several variables, the data in the literature as well as the present study were insufficient to determine risk. Conclusions: Some differences found may be explained by genetic factors and sociocultural diversity. In contrast, because CHD consists of a heterogeneous group of lesions, the etiology may vary. The standardization of research data and classification of methods for future studies are essential.
Associative Structures Based Upon a Categorical Braiding

It is well known that the existence of a braiding in a monoidal category V allows many structures to be built upon that foundation. These include a monoidal 2-category V-Cat of enriched categories and functors over V , a monoidal bicategory V-Mod of enriched categories and modules, a category of operads in V and a 2-fold monoidal category structure on V . We will begin by focusing our exposition on the first and last in this list due to their ability to shed light on a new question. We ask, given a braiding on V , what non-equal structures of a given kind in the list exist which are based upon the braiding. For instance, what non-equal monoidal structures are available on V-Cat, or what non-equal operad structures are available which base their associative structure on the braiding in V . All these examples are treated in one paper since they all require the same properties of the underlying braids of a transformation η : (A⊗B)⊗(C⊗D) → (A⊗C)⊗(B⊗D). The existence of duals in V-Cat will give us an indication of where to look for the alternative underlying braids that result in an infinite family of associative structures. The external and internal associativity diagrams in the axioms of a 2-fold monoidal category will provide us with several obstructions that can prevent a braid from underlying an associative structure.
Hot carrier degradation in p-channel MOSFETs

The impact of scaling device channel length and thinning gate oxide for improved performance, and the effect of the gate conductor material and spacer process on p-channel hot-carrier degradation are described. p-channel devices with n/sup +/ polysilicon and WSi/sub 2/ (polycide) gates, with 100-AA and 150-AA gate oxides, and channel lengths ranging from 0.5 mu m to 1.3 mu m were stressed at V/sub ds/=-5.0 to -6.0 V and room temperature for 1000 s. Positive shifts in threshold voltage as well as increased saturation drain current and transconductance are observed after stress. The degradation in device characteristics of a 1.0- mu m device, biased over a range of voltage conditions, was found to be related to the measured gate current by a power-law dependence. As the device channel length is decreased, the observed degradation in threshold voltage increased exponentially. However, as the device gate oxide thickness is reduced, the threshold voltage degradation remained constant for a given bias and fixed channel length, even though the gate current increases significantly. Device degradation is also a strong function of the gate conductor material and the spacer dimension on the sidewall of the gate conductor. >
Understanding the attitudes of African American middle school girls toward computer science

The number of women in computing is significantly low compared to the number of men in the discipline, with African American women making up an even smaller segment of this population. Related literature accredits this phenomenon to multiple sources, including background, stereotypes, discrimination, self-confidence, and a lack of self-efficacy or belief in one's capabilities. However, a majority of the literature fails to represent African American females in research studies. The research presented in this paper used a mixed methods approach to understand the attitudes of African American middle school girls toward computer science and investigated the factors that influence these attitudes. The results show that African American middle school girls generally have negative attitudes toward computer science. However, after participating in a computer science intervention, perceptions toward computer science become more positive. The results also reveal that four factors influence the attitudes of African American middle school girls toward computer science, such as the participation in an intervention, the intervention content domain, the facilitation of performance accomplishments, and participant characteristics like socioeconomic status, mother's education, school grades, and the use of smart phones and video game consoles at home.
Quality Assurance Activities for Stat Laboratories. Joseph R. Bailey and Rita R. Miller. Washington, DC: AACC Press, 1996, 220 pp., $60.00. Three-ring binder. ISBN 0-915274-81-7.

Quality assurance activities for 26 selected laboratory functions have been compiled into a notebook that can serve as a workbook and a guide. These functions span basic reagent preparation (bleach/water cleaning solutions), to more intricate and critical tasks such as transcribing results (blood gas). The authors were diligent in identifying functions that either require compliance to meet regulations or apply to quality-improvement processes for clinical care. They suggest applications exist for “other health care disciplines.” Steps and documentation for threshold level identification, data collection and summarization, and quality-assurance (QA) activity summarization have been more than adequately described. Each activity instruction sheet lists specific, relevant, and clear action steps to take “if performance/compliance is unacceptable.” Sample memorandums and corrective-action forms are included for 7 of the 26 …
The Effects of Clock Drift on the Mars Exploration Rovers

All clocks drift by some amount, and the mission clock on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) is no exception. The mission clock on both MER rovers drifted significantly since the rovers were launched, and it is still drifting on the Opportunity rover. The drift rate is temperature dependent. Clock drift causes problems for onboard behaviors and spacecraft operations, such as attitude estimation, driving, operation of the robotic arm, pointing for imaging, power analysis, and telecom analysis. The MER operations team has techniques to deal with some of these problems. There are a few techniques for reducing and eliminating the clock drift, but each has drawbacks. This paper presents an explanation of what is meant by clock drift on the rovers, its relationship to temperature, how we measure it, what problems it causes, how we deal with those problems, and techniques for reducing the drift.
Sophisticated Voting in Supermajoritarian Settings

Empirical support for sophisticated voting in the legislative setting has been sparse This is due to a number of factors, including the difficulty of identifying the ideal points of legislators in multidimensional spaces Whereas the conflict between sincere and strategic voting typically arises in such multidimensional settings, such conflict can also be found with respect to varied voting rules In this paper, the supermajority rules surrounding vetoes and cloture votes are examined to show their role in producing sophisticated voting outcomes. A single-dimensional model is developed that predicts sophisticated voting in two broad cases An empirical test with regard to votes on the 1989 minimum wage increase in the House of Representatives provides strong support for this theory Sincere voting is rejected, while sophisticated voting is supported, even when costly.
A unified geometric model for designing elastic pivots

Abstract Elastic pivots are commonly used in precision machines and instruments as bearings for guiding small displacements or rotations. They provide accurate and frictionless motion with little hysteresis. Elastic pivots are frequently designed with either straight beams or notches shaped as conic sections with circular, elliptical, parabolic, or hyperbolic profiles. The compliance of a pivot is typically predicted by analytical expressions derived from implicit equations for the pivot’s profile. This article describes a more general geometric model suited to representing the entire family of conic section shapes using quadratic rational Bezier curves. This general representation of the geometry is suitable for computer aided design and analysis, especially with finite element methods that yield compliances and stress distributions. The utility of this formulation is demonstrated by optimizing an elastic pivot to meet compliance and stress requirements.
Domestic violence crimes and children: A population-based investigation of direct sensory exposure and the nature of involvement

Abstract Children's exposure to domestic violence is a major national problem. Researchers and policymakers have called for research guided by comprehensive conceptual frameworks to advance understanding of this complex risk to children's well-being [Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). Preventing intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and child maltreatment. Retrieved June 3, 2006 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/research_agenda/07_violence.htm .; National Institute of Justice (2007). Adolescents, neighborhoods, and violence: Recent findings from the Project on Human Development. Retrieved on September 5, 2007 from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/217397.pdf ). The present study used a developmental–epidemiological model to explore the prevalence and nature of children's exposure to and involvement in domestic violence crimes investigated by law enforcement across a population. During the year under study 1581 domestic violence crimes were investigated by law enforcement. Forty-three percent of all domestic violence crimes had children in the household, and nearly all of those children (95%) experienced sensory exposure to the violence. A logistic regression model revealed a relationship between child exposure and domestic violence event characteristics such as victim injury, mutual assault, and perpetrator arrest. This research also examined how children are involved in domestic violence events. Three distinct types of involvement were revealed: children were part of the precipitating event; children called for help; and children were physically involved. Findings highlight the importance of developing a comprehensive surveillance system to ensure children exposed to domestic violence are made visible so they can be referred to appropriate services.
Pluralism, Relativism, and Liberalism

One major focus of recent value-pluralist literature has been the question of what normative consequences follow from pluralism. This essay critically examines three arguments that attempt to show ...
Salt effects in photoinduced electron transfer reactions

Abstract Metal salts and oxygen react synergistically to inhibit back-electron-transfer in photoinduced reactions.
Elevated Pleural Fluid pH in Proteus mirabilis Empyema

Three cases of Proteus empyema were associated with elevated pleural fluid pH values. The elevated pH is likely due to ammonia production by Proteus organisms.
Characterization of peptidoglycan in fem-deletion mutants of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by solid-state NMR.

Compositional analysis of the peptidoglycan (PG) of a wild-type methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and its fem-deletion mutants has been performed on whole cells and cell walls using stable-isotope labeling and rotational-echo double-resonance NMR. The labels included [1-13C,15N]glycine and l-[e-15N]lysine (for a direct measure of the number of glycyl residues in the bridging segment), [1-13C]glycine and l-[e-15N]lysine (concentration of bridge links), and d-[1-13C]alanine and [15N]glycine (concentrations of cross-links and wall teichoic acids). The bridging segment length changed from 5.0 glycyl residues (wild-type strain) to 2.5 ± 0.1 (FemB) with modest changes in cross-link and bridge-link concentrations. This accurate in situ measurement for the FemB mutant indicates a heterogeneous PG structure with 25% monoglycyl and 75% triglycyl bridges. When the bridging segment was reduced to a single glycyl residue 1.0 ± 0.1 (FemA), the level of cross-linking decreased by more than 20%, resulting in a ...
131 EXPANSION OF A MATERNALLY ACQUIRED MONOCLONAL T CELL POPULATION WITH CD3+/CD8+/TCR-1-PHENOTYPE IN A CHILD WITH SCID AND CHRONIC GvHR POSITIVE TROPISM OF THESE CELLS INTO THE SKIN BUT NOT INTO THE LIVER

The diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was established in a 5 months old boy based on typical clinical and laboratory findings. Analysis of surface markers, however, revealed a remarkable pattern: CD3 86%, CD4 5%, CD8 62%, TCR-1 38%, TCR-2 47%, CD8+/TCR-1+ 21%, CD8+/TCR-2+ 24%. Thus, the CD8+/TCR-1+ population almost absent in normal blood was extremely elevated to 21% of PBMC. To further characterize these cells and the complementary fractions they were double labelled using commercial monoclonal antibodies to CD8 and TCR-1 and sorted by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACSTAR PLUS). DNA from sorted cells was next analyzed by Southern Slot using a common delta-specific probe. A monoclonal rearrangemnt (Vδ1 to Jδ1) was exclusively found in the abnormally elevated cells but not in any other population analyzed. Using PCR we next generated a clonospecific probe directed against the NDN sequences of the rearranged fragment. Dot blot hybridization with this probe confirmed Southern blot results. The mother's PBMC contained 5% T cells with CD8+/TCR-1+ phenotype which had an identical rearrangement on Southern blot and reacted with the child's clonospecific probe, in addition, the NDN nucleotide sequences were identical. Because of signs of GvHR skin and liver biopsies were taken. Southern blots of DNA extracted from the skin revealed the presence of the rearranged fragment while only a minimal reaction could be observed with liver DNA. This case shows that monoclonal maternal cells can metastasize diaplacentally into the child if they are not destroyed by the child's immune system and that CD8+/TCR-1+ cells may have a rule in the skin but not in the liver.
Liberal-conservative Continua - A Comparison Of Measures

Q uality survey data require surveyors to ask the right questions of the right respondents. This requirement is particularly acute for preeminent data sets and templates for other research. The 1984 Ameri"_ can National Election Study (ANES) supplemented an item used since 1972 with a new measure of ideological self-location. This paper compares responses to old and new questions and assesses the relative reliability and validity of variables derived from each question. It concludes that data from the traditional question exhibit far more construct validity than those from newer questions, with similar reliability. This conclusion holds for different strata of ideological sophistication. The traditional measure of ideology is better, especially when asked of more sophisticated respondents.
Molecular phonon couplers at carbon nanotube/substrate interface to enhance interfacial thermal transport

Abstract A novel assembling process of incorporating carbon nanotubes as thermal interface materials for heat dissipation has been developed by synthesizing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on a copper substrate and chemically bonding the carbon nanotubes to a silicon surface. The assembling process and the copper/carbon nanotubes/silicon structure are compatible with current flip-chip technique. The carbon nanotubes are covalently bonded to the silicon surface via a thin but effective bridging layer as a “molecular phonon coupler” at the CNT–silicon interface to mitigate phonon scattering. Experimental results indicate that such an interface modification improves the effective thermal diffusivity of the carbon nanotube-mediated thermal interface by an order of magnitude and conductivity by almost two orders of magnitude. The interfacial adhesion is dramatically enhanced as well, which is significant for reliability improvement of the thermal interface materials.
Atomic scale structure-property relationships of defects and interfaces in novel oxide thin films

The ability to analyze the chemistry, atomic and electronic structure of interfaces with atomic spatial resolution is afforded by modern scanning transmission electron microscopy techniques. By combining atomic resolution imaging with spectroscopy, structure-property relationships of functional oxide thin films can be established. In this paper, we describe two specific examples where we have applied high-spatial resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy to dielectric thin films.
Neurobehavioral evidence for the involvement of the vomeronasal system in mammalian reproduction

Jacobson's organ of the vomeronasal system is found in every order of mammals with the possible exception of Cetacea. The equivocal evidence claiming a vestigial or absent organ in humans is reviewed. Based upon anatomical considerations, the sensory epithelium of Jacobson's organ is one of five possible sensory components within the nasal cavity. Many methods designed to test the role of olfaction (sensu strictu) in physiology and behavior do not discriminate among the possible systems. Therefore, erroneous conclusions may have been drawn from the results of intervention experiments. The central neuroanatomical projections of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems are different and relatively independent of each other. The vomeronasal system reciprocally communicates with central areas concerned with reproductive events. On the other hand, the olfactory system may subserve individual maintenance tasks (e.g., feeding). As a periscope from the diencephalon, the vomeronasal system may monitor exogenous hormones, "pheromones".
Sex differences in mesenteric endothelial function of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a shift in the relative importance of EDRFs

Several studies suggest that diabetes affects male and female vascular beds differently. However, the mechanisms underlying the interaction of sex and diabetes remain to be investigated. This study...
Inhibitory role of Src family tyrosine kinases on Ca2+-dependent insulin release.

Both neurotransmitter release and insulin secretion occur via regulated exocytosis and share a variety of similar regulatory mechanisms. It has been suggested that Src family tyrosine kinases inhib...
THE SEQUENCE AND GENOMIC ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN TYPE 2 ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR

Abstract A human genomic DNA library was screened utilizing a human angiotensin II type 2 receptor (hAT 2 R) cDNA as a probe. Several positive clones were isolated and characterized. A comparison of the hAT 2 R cDNA sequence with the hAT 2 R genomic clone sequence suggests that the hAT 2 R gene is composed of three exons and spans at least 5 kb. Exons 1 and 2 encode for 5′ untranslated mRNA sequence and exon 3 harbors the entire uninterrupted open reading frame of the hAT 2 R. Sequence analysis of the 5′-flanking region of the hAT 2 R gene demonstrates that it contains the typical sequence motifs found in many eukaryotic promoters. Interestingly, however, this promoter region also includes an interferon consensus sequence binding protein site (ICSBP) and a putative embryonal, long terminal repeat binding protein (ELF) site. The presence of these novel putative transcription factor binding sites suggests that this gene may be regulated in a unique manner.
Parathyroid localization with modified 4D‐computed tomography and ultrasonography for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

Objectives: In this article, we report our decade-long experience in using modified 4D-computed tomography in combination with ultrasonography (Mod 4D-CT/US) to localize abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Study Design: Retrospective medical record review at a university-based academic medical center. Methods: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent a Mod 4D-CT/US and parathyroidectomy between January 1998 and May 2009 were included in the study. Results from preoperative localization studies were compared with operative findings, pathologic data, and biochemical measurements to assess the sensitivity and specificity as well as the positive and negative predictive values of Mod 4D-CT/US. Results: Mod 4D-CT/US demonstrated 94% sensitivity and 96% specificity when these imaging studies were used to lateralize the hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands to one side of the neck. In regard to localizing abnormal parathyroid glands to a specific quadrant of the neck (i.e., right-left; superior-inferior), the sensitivity and specificity of Mod 4D-CT/US was 82% and 93%, respectively. Mod 4D-CT/US had a 92% positive predictive value for single-gland disease and 75% for multigland disease. The negative predictive value for single and multigland disease (MGD) were 73% and 92%, respectively. Conclusions: Mod 4D-CT/US provides excellent sensitivity and specificity in terms of localizing abnormal parathyroid glands to the correct side and quadrant in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, and it correctly identifies many patients with MGD.
Energy sorghum hybrids: functional dynamics of high nitrogen use efficiency

Abstract The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of high biomass energy sorghum hybrid plants increased during 180 days of growth to a maximum of 370 g DW g−1 N−1. Shoot N uptake was biphasic and continued for 120 days. Leaf N accumulation was rapid until day 60. Specific leaf nitrogen (SLN) varied from 0.9 to 1.7 g N m−2 green leaf area, a typical range for C4 grass canopies. Stem N increased to a maximum at day 120. NUE increased during development in parallel with increasing stem to leaf biomass ratio and as stems decreased from 0.7% to 0.2% N. At the end of the season, green leaves were ∼1% N, represented 17% of total shoot biomass and accounted for 50% of N present in shoots (above ground biomass) while stems were ∼0.2% N, comprised 83% of shoot biomass and accounted for 50% of shoot N. High NUE was due in part to N-remobilization from lower leaves and stem nodes/internodes to upper portions of the canopy. Up to 70% of dry weight and 90% of N was remobilized during senescence of lower leaves and 70% of N was remobilized from lower stem nodes/internodes. The NUE of energy sorghum was similar to Saccharum officinarum and Miscanthus x giganteus, and higher than grain Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays, and Panicum virgatum. High NUE of energy S. bicolor is due to long duration of vegetative growth, high stem to leaf biomass ratio, and very efficient N-remobilization from lower leaves and stem internodes during development.
An Ant's Life: Storytelling in Virtual Reality

An Ant's Life is a game that explores the use of virtual reality in connection with physical props to tell a captivating story and create a unique immersive experience through innovation in graphics, gameplay and design. It takes a new approach to the virtual reality space by integrating 2D art in a 3D environment, including props and theming alongside the use of the Oculus Rift and PS Move and focusing on storytelling for naive guests with an unusual perspective from the point of view of an ant. The game hopes to bridge the virtual and physical worlds and make virtual reality games more accessible to a wide audience.
Stage of susceptibility to carcinogenicity of prenatal dietary fat exposure tested by blastocyst transfer

A previous experiment with exposure of female mice to a diet high in fat from 4 weeks of age through to the end of pregnancy demonstrated a substantial increase in the frequency of reproductive system tumors in their female offspring. Over this wide period of exposure, one or more specific periods of sensitivity to the carcinogenic effects of dietary fat should exist. To test whether a high fat diet affects maternal germ cells and/or zygote development through to blastocyst formation, two blastocyst transfer experiments were performed. Blastocysts from a dam on high fat were transferred to a pseudopregnant dam on low fat. The reverse type of transfer was performed for contrast. These experiments did not reveal any significant effect of dietary fat on maternal germ cells or zygote development.
Catatonia and other motor syndromes in a chronically hospitalized psychiatric population

Abstract Background To determine the motor characteristics of chronic catatonia, catatonia and other motor disorders were systematically rated in a long-term hospitalized sample. Method Chronically hospitalized psychiatric inpatients ( N = 42) with a clinical diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia (295.2X) were rated for catatonia with a novel 23-item catatonia rating scale, and for parkinsonism, dyskinesia and akathisia using standard rating scales with scale-based criteria for case definition. Results Catatonia was the sole motor syndrome in nine cases (21%), co-existed with parkinsonism in five (12%), tardive dyskinesia in four (10%), and both parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia in 10 (24%). There was no correlation between total scores across the four rating scales. ‘Rigidity’ was the sole catatonic sign which overlapped with other scales. The symptom profile of catatonia in this chronic sample was similar to previous reports based on acutely ill patients. Conclusion Catatonia is distinguishable from other motor disorders in chronic psychiatric patients using the 23-item catatonia rating scale. The features of chronic catatonia are described, and the distribution of catatonic signs is similar for chronic and acute catatonia.
A severe outbreak of ascochyta blight of chickpeas in western Nebraska

Interest in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production as an alternative crop to sugar beets and dry beans has rapidly increased in the Nebraska Panhandle. Production (concentrated near Alliance in Box Butte County) has increased from 80 ha in 1999 and 800 ha in 2000, to almost 4,000 ha in 2001. In mid-July 2001, symptoms in fields consisted of circular, dark brown lesions (0.5 to 1.0 cm) on leaves and pods containing pycnidia (225 to 240 μm) arranged in concentric rings. Symptom appearance followed unusually high rainfall events (over 25 cm the previous week), and the epidemic affected virtually all chickpeas planted in the area. Infected leaves incubated in humidity chambers in the laboratory produced nonseptate, hyaline, oval to oblong conidia measuring 8.5 to 10.0 × 4.0 to 4.5 μm that oozed out of pycnidia in a mucilaginous mass. Based on symptoms and fungal morphology (1), the pathogen was identified as Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr. Because of the seedborne nature of the disease, pathogen identity was further verified by planting seeds from infected pods in the greenhouse. Emerging plants exhibited similar symptoms to those from field infections, and the pathogen was identified from newly developed lesions. A section 18 emergency exemption was obtained for the use of the fungicide Quadris (azoxystrobin) on 2,400 to 2,800 ha in Nebraska. This measure averted serious losses, but 15 to 20% reductions in yield and quality were still recorded from treated fields. Infected plants collected from untreated fields had almost 60% losses in both pod number and total seed weight compared with uninfected plants. Disease occurrence in the Western Hemisphere was first reported from Canada in 1974, followed by other chickpea-growing states in the United States, including California, Washington, Idaho, and North Dakota (2-4). To my knowledge, this is the first report of the disease in Nebraska, and its presence poses a significant threat to the developing chickpea industry in the state, as the planted area is expected to increase in the foreseeable future. References: (1) D. J. Allen. The Pathology of Tropical Food Legumes. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1983. (2) M. L. Derie et al. Plant Dis. 69:268, 1985. (3) P. Guzman et al. Plant Dis. 79:82, 1995. (4) W. J. Kaiser and F. J. Muelbauer. Phytopathology 74:1139, 1984.
Inversions of SIR-C and AIRSAR data for the roughness of geological surfaces

Abstract The surface roughness of alluvial fans in Death Valley, California, changes as the fans age. Because radar backscatter is sensitive to surface roughness, it is possible to map relative surface age using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. We have examined surface roughness estimates in Death Valley from Shuttle Imaging Radar-C SAR data with the use of a technique that we call foreground/background analysis (FBA), with the goal of establishing a robust inversion method that is extendible to a range of surfaces and conditions. In this method, a foreground entity (in this case roughness) is distinguished from complicating background factors (including the distribution of intermediate-scale slopes, vegetation, and dielectric constant). The inversion for roughness is non-unique even when constrained by the use of field measurements. When the range of possible solutions is examined, it is observed that they fall into a small number of domains, each with distinct characteristics that are probably associated with physical factors such as the scale of roughness. Solutions were compared with those determined from the semiempirical (SEM) and integral equation (IEM) models, and all solutions were evaluated with respect to field knowledge. The SEM and IEM solutions, and those obtained using FBA together with the field measurements, fall into a common domain of solutions that are susceptible to contamination by background effects and hence may not be extendible to other geographic locations. A domain of stable solutions that are more extendible does exist; however, this extendibility is achieved at the expense of reduced resolution of roughness levels. For Death Valley, we estimate that it is possible to resolve only four levels of roughness, which is far fewer than can be theoretically resolved with existing inversion algorithms.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus: rapid assay using the fluorescent antibody technique.

A fluorescent focus assay was used to enumerate infective units of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in primary swine kidney cell monolayers. Fluorescent focus assay was rapid and compared well with the titers obtained by cytopathic effect and plaque assays for readily cytopathic strains of FMDV (A24, A-4691 and Asia-1/1, Pakistan-'54). The fluorescent focus assay was superior to CPE or plaque assays for the less cytopathogenic strains, O6 (O-VI) and C1 (GC) and was more sensitive than suckling mice for titration of all 4 FMDV strains used. The fluorescent antibody technique has the advantage that FMDV titers can be obtained within 3 to 4 hours.
Modal dimensionality and dephasing effects in slab waveguide electrooptic filters

The voltage-dependent transfer characteristics of multi-mode slab waveguide electrooptic filters have been reexamined analytically in considerable detail, with special attention to differential modal phase delays, modal dimensionality, and attenuation. An important determination was the minimum number of modes (i.e., minimum dimensionality) needed for a reliable representation of the model. We find that a dimensionality of 10 is essentially adequate for the device modeled, having thickness approximately 130 μm, operating near a 0.475-μm wavelength. In addition, we find that inclusion of an initial dead length, with the attendant depbasing of modes, is an important factor in achieving good agreement with experimental data. Suitable allowance for mode-dependent attenuation also aids in improving this match.
The evaporation of α-particles from heavy nuclei

Abstract Angular and energy distributions of emitted α-particles were measured in α-particle bombardments of Ta, Au and natural Pb at bombarding energies from 50 to 90 MeV. On the basis of the angular distributions and spectral shapes, it is possible to identify an evaporation component in the observed spectra. At backward angles, this component is generally an order of magnitude more intense than the other (direct-reaction) portion of the spectrum for outgoing α-particle energies between 15 and 25 MeV. For each bombardng energy and target, it was possible to determine values for the width of the evaporation spectrum and for the α-particle energy and the differential cross section at the peak of the spectrum. The observed values of these quantities were compared with those implied by the conventional statistical theory for particle evaporation from nuclei. It was found that the over-all quantitative agreement between theory and experiment over the entire range of observation was remarkably good. For best agreement, the value of the level density parameter a appears to lie between 1 7 A and 1 10 A . Some possible modifications to the usual formulation of evaporation theory are briefly discussed in connection with the small discrepancies which appear between the observations and the theory. Finally some predictions of cross sections are given for the evaporation from heavy nuclei of protons, deuterons, tritons and photons.
Prospects for sustainability of biodiversity based on conservation biology and US Forest Service approaches to ecosystem management

Abstract Ecosystem management involves long-term management of whole ecosystems, across political boundaries as necessary, to sustain ecosystem integrity. The conservation biology view of ecosystem management tends to be biocentric, placing primary emphasis on sustaining the integrity of natural ecosystem processes and native species. The US Forest Service favors an anthropocentric approach in which an array of public preferences will determine the extent to which utilitarian (commodities, recreation, etc.) and natural (biodiversity) values will be emphasized in defining and sustaining ecosystem integrity. Conservation biologists have suggested creation of a national network of regional reserve systems, with core areas, buffer zones, and landscape linkages, to help maintain biodiversity, while the US Forest Service is promoting the use of timber management and other forest practices to mimic historic biodiversity patterns across the landscape. These ideas are not mutually exclusive, could potentially be complementary, and would be long-term, very challenging efforts. Political support for implementation of these ideas is uncertain. Legislative proposals to transfer large amounts of multiple-use, public lands to state and/or private ownership, if enacted, are likely to render these approaches ineffective. Compelling scientific evidence from conservation biology argues that failure to apply some sort of ecosystem management to the remaining natural and seminatural parts of the US landscape will result in continued loss of natural biodiversity, eventually leading to a `tragedy of the biodiversity commons'. Failure to support the present federal land management goal of providing publicly desired resources while sustaining ecosystem integrity can be expected to have negative effects on ecosystem services, regardless of the emphasis placed on naturalness. Broad legislative guidelines favoring maintenance of natural biodiversity, but allowing a much greater contribution of local communities to land management planning, offers the potential for sustaining both ecosystem integrity and local/regional economies. This approach is risky with respect to sustaining natural ecosystem integrity but can, perhaps, be guided by knowledge obtained from adaptive management. Prospects for success would be strengthened by financial incentives to nongovernmental entities for protection of natural biodiversity, concern for private property rights, and by different kinds of stakeholders who share a common ethical and/or cultural concern for the natural environment of their communities.
The high throughput assessment of aluminium alloy corrosion using fluorometric methods. Part I – Development of a fluorometric method to quantify aluminium ion concentration

This paper examines a new method developed for the rapid assessment of corrosion inhibitors and their combinations for aluminium alloy 2024-T3 (AA2024-T3). Two fluorometric probes, lumogallion and morin, were used to rapidly assess the concentration of aluminium ions in solution through the use of a spectrophotometric plate reader. Fourteen potential inhibitor compounds and other assay constituents were screened for fluoroprobe interference: sodium chromate, sodium metavanadate, cerium chloride, lanthanum chloride, europium chloride, gadolinium chloride, neodymium chloride, yttrium chloride, barium metaborate, sodium metatungstate, potassium phosphate, sodium metasilicate, sodium phosphate, and sodium molybdate. Calibration curves were established for the two probes.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXPONENT n IN THE ENERGY-VOLUME RELATION, E=-A/Vn, IN THE BEHAVIOR OF FLUIDS AND FLUID MIXTURES

The exponent n in the relation E= -A/Vn is shown to be of great significance in the behavior of liquid solutions. The modified version of Flory''s theory presented here indicates that the enthalpy of mixing of binary solutions can be calculated from density measurements, if the value of n for the system is known. The method is applied to binary solutions of aliphatic hydrocarbons of various chain lengths and it is found that the value n=1.29 ±0.03 gives good agreement between measured and calculated values of HE for this group of solutions. Good agreement is also observed for systems containing spherical molecules and for mixtures composed of aromatic hydrocarbons. The advantage of using n coupled with X12 rather than the frequently applied interaction parameter, X12, alone is discussed in detail.
Dietary arsenic affects dimethylhydrazine-induced aberrant crypt formation and hepatic global DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferase activity in rats

Cell culture studies have suggested that arsenic exposure results in decreased S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), causing DNA hypomethylation. Previously, we have shown that hepatic SAM is decreased and/or S-adenosylhomocysteine increased in arsenic-deprived rats; these rats tended to have hypomethylated DNA. To determine the effect of dietary arsenic on dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt formation in the colon, Fisher 344 weanling male rats were fed diets containing 0, 0.5, or 50 microg As (as NaAsO2)/g. After 12 wk, dietary arsenic affected the number of aberrant crypts (p<0.02) and aberrant crypt foci (p<0.007) in the colon and the amount of global DNA methylation (p<0.04) and activity of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) (p<0.003) in the liver. In each case, there were more aberrant crypts and aberrant crypt foci, a relative DNA hypomethylation, and increased activity of DNMT in the rats fed 50 microg As/g compared to those fed 0.5 microg As/g. The same phenomenon, an increased number of aberrant crypts and aberrant crypt foci, DNA hypomethylation, and increased DNMT tended to hold when comparing rats fed the diet containing no supplemental arsenic compared to rats fed 0.5 microg As/g. The data suggest that there is a threshold for As toxicity and that possibly too little dietary As could also be detrimental.
Activity-based Ubicomp: a new research basis for the future of human-computer interaction

Ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) is bringing computing off the desktop and into our everyday lives. For example, an interactive display can be used by the family of an elder to stay in constant touch with the elder's everyday wellbeing, or by a group to visualize and share information about exercise and fitness. Mobile sensors, networks, and displays are proliferating worldwide in mobile phones, enabling this new wave of applications that are intimate with the user's physical world. In addition to being ubiquitous, these applications share a focus on high-level activities, which are long-term social processes that take place in multiple environments and are supported by complex computation and inference of sensor data. However, the promise of this Activity-based Ubicomp is unfulfilled, primarily due to methodological, design, and tool limitations in how we understand the dynamics of activities. The traditional cognitive psychology basis for human-computer interaction, which focuses on our short term interactions with technological artifacts, is insufficient for achieving the promise of Activity-based Ubicomp. We are developing design methodologies and tools, as well as activity recognition technologies, to both demonstrate the potential of Activity-based Ubicomp as well as to support designers in fruitfully creating these types of applications.
All aging is psychosomatic.

All aging is psychosomatic. Such a statement might be difficult for some to accept, especially those who interpret "psychosomatic" to mean only imaginary physical complaints or emotionally-induced functional disturbances or even actual physical disease mediated by emotional tension. ' Nevertheless, the term is an appropriate one to describe both the process itself and a logical approach to medical care of aging people. We will cover the subject by first discussing the meanings of the two focal terms: "aging" and "psychosomatic"; then we will examine the four major categories of psychosomatic interaction in the light of the phenomena of aging.
A spinal sympatho-inhibitory action of chlorpromazine and haloperidol in the cat.

Abstract Intravenous administration of chlorpromazine (0.03–l.0 mg/kg) or haloperidol (0.03–1.0 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of spinally-evoked electrodermal responses (EDRs) in the anesthetized spinal cat. These findings suggest that chlorpromazine and haloperidol act at the level of the spinal cord to depress activity in the sympathetic-cholinergic electrodermal system. Neither drug had a significant effect on pre- or postganglionically-evoked EDRs, further indicating their central action.
804. In Vivo Correction of a Metabolic Liver Disease by AAV8-Mediated Homologous Recombination

Top of pageAbstract AAV-8 is currently the most efficient serotype to transduce hepatocytes and establish long-lasting transgene expression. However, most vectors remain episomal, integration events are rare and occur randomly. In our study we aimed to prove that targeted integration and homologous recombination by AAV is a feasible method for gene correction in vivo. We therefore used the Fah5961SB mouse model carrying a single bp splice-site mutation causing loss of an exon in the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) gene. Fah mutant mice are a model of the human disease hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 and develop progressive liver failure when the protective drug NTBC is withdrawn. An AAV-8 vector was constructed containing 4.5 kb of the wild-type genomic sequence 5 and 3 of the splice mutation. Importantly, this vector does not contain a Fah expression cassette, but can restore Fah expression only after homologous recombination with the mutant genome. Neonatal (n=6, day of birth, 2x10^11 copies/mouse, intraperitoneal-ip), newborn (n=6, 4 days old, 1x10^11 copies/mouse, ip) and adult mice (n=8, 1x10^11 copies/mouse, portal vein) of both sexes were injected. Corrected hepatocytes were selected in vivo by NTBC withdrawal. Neonatal mice injected at the day of birth showed stabilization or increase of weight at the end of the first cycle of NTBC withdrawal (25 days). Multiple macroscopicallly visible nodules of healthy hepatic tissue were seen when the liver was harvested and histological analysis confirmed Fah+ nodules and thus gene correction at high frequency. Newborns injected at age 4 days and adult mice also showed flattening of weight loss after 25 days off NTBC. Histological analysis in these older mice also showed Fah-positive nodules providing evidence of correction of the point mutation. Further histological and genomic analysis to ascertain the precise quantity and time course of integration events are pending. Our experiments show for the first time in vivo that gene correction by homologous recombination with AAV-8 is possible at reasonable frequencies. Combined with in vivo selection this resulted in complete clinical restoration of an otherwise lethal metabolic liver disease.
The Limits of Teacher Education Reforms: School Subjects, Alchemies, and an Alternative Possibility

Contemporary U.S. schools and professional reforms call for teachers to have greater disciplinary and pedagogical knowledge for teaching school subjects. Reform efforts leave unexamined the rules and standards of “reason” that historically order school subjects. The notion of alchemy provides an analytic “tool” to consider the processes of translation from disciplinary knowledge to teaching practices. It is argued that the intellectual tools of school pedagogies have little to do with the disciplinary fields. The psychological strategies for defining school subjects historically are strategies of governing who the child is and should be. There is an ironic quality to this alchemy of schooling subjects. Efforts to increase student participation may narrow the possibilities of reflection and action. An alternative style for thinking about the translation of disciplinary fields into the curriculum and “methods” of school subjects is discussed, drawing on studies of science, technology, and mathematics.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND FLOW IMAGING PROVIDES MORE ACCURATE VISUALIZATION OF THE FLOW CONVERGENCE REGION THAN TWO-DIMENSIONAL COLOR FLOW MAPPING: IN-VITRO STUDIES. † 208

Two-dimensional (2D) color Doppler flow mapping (CDFM) of the flow convergence (FC) region provides important information on regurgitant volumes. However, the 2D view provided by CDFM may not reveal complete FC information especially for complex orifice geometries. We used a Toshiba ultrasound scanner (Nyquist limits (NL): 10 - 60 cm/sec) interfaced to a Tomtec 3D ultrasound reconstruction computer which provides multiple views of structure and flow, to visualize the FC region for pulsatile flow (20 - 90 cc/beat; 50 - 80 bpm) through a variety of orifice sizes (0.1 cm2 - 2.0 cm2) and shapes(circular, oval, Y-shaped). The FC region could be clearly visualized using 3D ultrasound Doppler flow imaging for all hemodynamic conditions at all NL's. Aliasing radii measured from the 3D flow images correlated well with actual flow volumes (y=0.05 x+0.21; r=0.98, NL= 38cm/sec) with best results obtained at intermediate (30 - 50 cm/sec) NL's. Increasing orifice size and decreasing flow rate both caused perceptible flattening of the 3D FC contour within the central convergence region where angle induced velocity errors are minimal. 3D ultrasound flow imaging of the proximal flow convergence region presents both qualitative and quantitative advantages over conventional 2D CDFM and should improve clinical application of this technique.