cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformational changes in subdomain 2 of G-actin: fluorescence probing by dansyl ethylenediamine attached to Gln-41

Gln-41 on G-actin was specifically labeled with a fluorescent probe, dansyl ethylenediamine (DED), via transglutaminase reaction to explore the conformational changes in subdomain 2 of actin. Replacement of Ca2+ with Mg2+ and ATP with ADP on G-actin produced large changes in the emission properties of DED. These substitutions resulted in blue shifts in the wavelength of maximum emission and increases in DED fluorescence. Excitation of labeled actin at 295 nm revealed energy transfer from tryptophans to DED. Structure considerations and Cu2+ quenching experiments suggested that Trp-79 and/or Trp-86 serves as energy donors to DED. Energy transfer from these residues to DED on Gln-41 increased with the replacement of Ca2+ with Mg2+ and ATP with ADP. Polymerization of Mg-G-actin with MgCl2 resulted in much smaller changes in DED fluorescence than divalent cation substitution. This suggests that the conformation of loop 38–52 on actin is primed for the polymerization reaction by the substitution of Ca2+ with Mg2+ on G-actin.
Longitudinal changes in risk variables of insulin resistance syndrome from childhood to young adulthood in offspring of parents with type 2 diabetes: The Bogalusa Heart Study

The occurrence of metabolic abnormalities related to insulin resistance syndrome in nondiabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic parents is known. However, information is lacking on the timing and the course of development of the components of this syndrome from childhood to adulthood in the offspring of parents with diabetes. This aspect was examined in a community-based cohort with (n = 303) and without (n = 1,136) a parental history of type 2 diabetes followed longitudinally since childhood (ages 4 to 17 years; mean follow-up period, 15 years) by repeated surveys. Offspring with parental diabetes versus those without such history had significantly excess generalized and truncal adiposity as measured by body mass index (BMI) and subscapular skinfold beginning in childhood, higher levels of fasting insulin and glucose and homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) from adolescence, and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in adulthood. Many of these risk variables changed adversely at an increased rate in offspring of diabetic parents. In a multivariate analysis, parental diabetes was an independent predictor of longitudinal changes in adiposity, glucose, insulin, HOM-IR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol in the offspring, regardless of race and gender. As young adults, the offspring of diabetic parents had a higher prevalence of generalized (BMI > 30, 36% v 16%, P =.0001) and visceral (waist > 100 cm, 15% v 6%, P =.0001) obesity, hyperinsulinemia indicative of insulin resistance (insulin > 18 microU/mL, 15% v 8%, P =.0001), hyperglycemia (>or=110 mg/dL, 2% v 0.5%, P =.02), high LDL cholesterol (>or=160 mg/dL, 11% v 7%, P =.02), low HDL cholesterol ( or=150 mg/dL, 23% v 15%, P =.0001), and hypertension (>140/90 mm Hg, 11% v 6%, P =.004). Thus, the offspring of diabetic parents displayed excess body fatness beginning in childhood and accelerated progression of adverse risk profile characteristics of insulin resistance syndrome from childhood to young adulthood. These observations have important implications for early prevention and intervention.
Language Minority Education in Great Britain: A Challenge to Current U.S. Policy

British educational policies advocate placing language minority students in mainstream classes where their regular teacher receives ongoing support from a TESOL specialist. By contrast, in the United States, the policies favor placing nonnative speakers in separate programs such as ESL pull-out classes, sheltered English, or bilingual education, where they are taught solely by the TESOL or bilingual education specialist. The same rationale—protecting equality of opportunity—is offered for both approaches. This article compares the events that led to the contrasting solutions and the institutional structures that support those solutions; it gives an example of the British mainstream system at work and shows how the different approaches to educating nonnative speakers reflect different assumptions about language development and definitions of equality of opportunity. The article concludes by asking language teachers three questions about programs for language minorities that are raised by the contrastive examination: (a) What are the consequences of social segregation in educational programs? (b) What are the effects of varied instructional contexts on language learning? (c) What are the most helpful roles ESL teachers can play with respect to teaching subject matter and linguistic competency?
Morphological alterations in cultured endothelial cells induced by arachidonic acid

Abstract The addition of arachidonic acid (20:4), but not other fatty acids, including the structurally similar eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5), induced specific morphological changes in cultured endothelial cells derived from bovine aorta and pulmonary artery. Cells exhibited a time- and dose-dependent change from their normal, epithelioid morphology to become elongated, polygonal, and spindle-shaped. Cells isolated from aorta appeared more sensitive to these changes than those from pulmonary artery. The effect was observed as early as 12 h after exposure to 20:4, required 48 h for maximal expression, and could be reversed in 2–5 h after change to normal media. The morphological alteration was not observed in cells treated with leukotrienes or PGE2. When cells were pretreated with ibuprofen, aspirin, or indomethacin to block prostaglandin synthesis and then exposed to 20:4, the dose-response effect was shifted to the left. This increased sensitivity to 20:4 suggests either a direct effect of 20:4 on cell morphology or an indirect effect due to metabolites of 20:4 which are not dependent on the cyclooxygenase pathway.
Specific subunit mRNAs of the GABAA receptor are regulated by progesterone in subfields of the hippocampus

The ability of ovarian steroids to regulate the excitability of hippocampal neurons may be mediated by alterations in the inhibitory activity of GABA. We assessed the ability of estradiol, progesterone, and 3α-OH-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α-OH-DHP; a metabolite of progesterone) to regulate gene expression of selected GABAA receptor subunits (α1, α2, β1, β2, and γ2). Using in situ hybridization, we found that progesterone, or 3α-OH-DHP, suppressed mRNA levels for the α1 subunit in the CA2, CA3, and the dentate gyrus subfields of the hippocampus in animals that were pretreated with estradiol. Progesterone had a more limited effect on the α2 subunit, suppressing mRNA levels in estradiol-primed animals only in the CA3 region. In contrast, progesterone increased mRNA levels for the γ2 subunit in the CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, but only in animals that were not estradiol-primed. Estradiol alone had no significant effect on the expression of any subunit examined. β1 and β2 subunit mRNA levels were not altered by any of the hormones tested. These data support the conclusion that progesterone and its metabolites may regulate excitability of the hippocampus by modulating the GABAA receptor gene expression; these effects of progesterone are dependent upon the circulating levels of estradiol. Alterations in the gene expression of selective subunits may lead to changes in the density of GABAA receptor protein or to changes in receptor subunit composition which might alter receptor sensitivity to activation by GABA or modulators such as the benzodiazepines and convulsants.
Time- and Age-Awareness in Early Modern Russia

Emmanuel LeRoy Ladurie has observed that in medieval Montaillou ”time was always vague,” so that “history was absent or almost absent from Montaillou culture.” According to the inquisition record on which LeRoy Ladurie depended, Montaillou villagers often found it difficult to determine exactly how long ago a given event had occurred. They described past events as having happened “three or four years ago,” “seventeen or eighteen years ago,” “twenty or twenty-four years since.” Others quantified the past by referring to “the time when the heretics predominated in Montaillou, before the round-up by the Inquisition in Carcassonne.” Unsurprisingly, the same imprecision governed their sense of age. In rural Montaillou, the rhythm of transhumance more readily marked time than did any abstract calendar (LeRoy Ladurie 1979:280–1).
Heterozygote studies in cystinosis.

Abstract The intracellular cystine in the leucocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts of heterozygotes for nephropathic cystinosis is primarily located in a granular cell fraction. Compartmentalization of cystine in a similar fraction has been previously shown for cystinosis homozygotes. The observations suggest that the primary metabolic derangement in cystinosis is present in some sedimentable subcellular structure, and the compartmetalization is not secondary to intracellular formation of cystine crystals. The report demonstrates an unusual use of heterozygotes in the investigation of human disease.
Fostering geographic literacy from early childhood: the contributions of interdisciplinary research

Abstract A disturbing level of geographic ignorance in both children and adults has been well documented in recent years. We argue that educational programs to remedy this ignorance will be successful only if they draw upon an interdisciplinary approach combining the fields of geography and developmental psychology. After discussing the value of this approach in general, we describe some empirical data showing the links between children's developing projective spatial concepts and their ability to produce and use maps of familiar environments. We illustrate the value of this approach by discussing sample classroom activities, and urge the importance of developing pregeographic or premapping skills during the preschool years.
Dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to N-methyl-D-aspartate: role of CGRP and acetylcholine.

Abstract The purpose of these experiments was to examine mechanisms by which N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) produces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilatation in brain. Some nitrovasodilators appear to dilate cerebral arterioles, in part, by release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from trigeminal fibers. The first goal of this study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA is mediated by activation of receptors for CGRP. Diameters of cerebral arterioles were measured using a closed cranial window in anesthetized rabbits. Topical CGRP (1 and 10 nM) dilated cerebral arterioles by 30 ± 9 (mean±S.E.M.) and 72 ± 9% , respectively, from a control diameter of 94 ± 7 μm . This response was inhibited almost completely by the CGRP antagonist CGRP(8–37) (0.5 μM). NMDA (100 and 300 μM) dilated cerebral arterioles by 14 ± 5and38 ± 7% in the absence and 20 ± 5%and30 ± 6% in the presence, respectively, of CGRP(8–37). Neurons may release acetylcholine in response to activation with NMDA. The second goal of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA is mediated by acetylcholine. Topical atropine (2 μg/ml) completely inhibited dilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to acetylcholine, but had no effect on vasodilatation in response to NMDA. Thus, vasodilatation of cerebral arterioles in response to NMDA does not appear to be dependent on activation of receptors for CGRP or acetylcholine.
Prostaglandins do not mediate the inhibitory effects of angiotensins II and III on autonomic neurotransmission in the rabbit vas deferens.

Abstract The role of prostaglandins in mediating angiotensin effects on autonomic neurotransmission was assessed. This was accomplished by examining the angiostensin-induced production of prostaglandins (PGE) and suppression of non-adrenergic (purinergic) neurotransmission in the presence and absence of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. The vas deferens of the rabbit was utilized for these studies because this preparation has a predominant non-adrenergic neurogenic component. Both angiotensins II and III enhanced PGE production and reduced non-adrenergic neurogenic contractions in a concentration-dependent manner from 1 to 1000 mM. Furthermore, indomethacin (2.8 μM) and eicosatetraynoic acid (10 μM) eliminated the inhibitory effect of the angiotensins on non-adrenergic neurotransmission. However, acetylsalicylic acid (10 μM) prevented the production of PGE in response to the angiotensins but failed to alter the suppression of non-adrenergic neurotransmission. The latter data are inconsistent with the hypothesis that PG's mediate angiotensin-induced depression of non-adrenergic neurotransmission. The mechanism by which indomethacin and eicosatetraynoic acid prevent angiotensin effects on non-adrenergic neurotransmission was not elucidated but previous reports suggest that these agents may act as angiotensin receptor antagonists. All of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors examined tended to potentiate angiotensin effects on adrenergic neurotransmission.
Fast empirical Bayesian LASSO for multiple quantitative trait locus mapping

The Bayesian shrinkage technique has been applied to multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping to estimate the genetic effects of QTLs on quantitative traits from a very large set of possible effects including the main and epistatic effects of QTLs. Although the recently developed empirical Bayes (EB) method significantly reduced computation comparing with the fully Bayesian approach, its speed and accuracy are limited by the fact that numerical optimization is required to estimate the variance components in the QTL model. We developed a fast empirical Bayesian LASSO (EBLASSO) method for multiple QTL mapping. The fact that the EBLASSO can estimate the variance components in a closed form along with other algorithmic techniques render the EBLASSO method more efficient and accurate. Comparing with the EB method, our simulation study demonstrated that the EBLASSO method could substantially improve the computational speed and detect more QTL effects without increasing the false positive rate. Particularly, the EBLASSO algorithm running on a personal computer could easily handle a linear QTL model with more than 100,000 variables in our simulation study. Real data analysis also demonstrated that the EBLASSO method detected more reasonable effects than the EB method. Comparing with the LASSO, our simulation showed that the current version of the EBLASSO implemented in Matlab had similar speed as the LASSO implemented in Fortran, and that the EBLASSO detected the same number of true effects as the LASSO but a much smaller number of false positive effects. The EBLASSO method can handle a large number of effects possibly including both the main and epistatic QTL effects, environmental effects and the effects of gene-environment interactions. It will be a very useful tool for multiple QTL mapping.
Starter unit specificity directs genome mining of polyketide synthase pathways in fungi

Search of the protein database with the aflatoxin pathway polyketide synthase (PKS) revealed putative PKSs in the pathogenic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii that could require partnerships with a pair of fatty acid synthase (FAS) subunits for the biosynthesis of fatty acid-polyketide hybrid metabolites. A starter unit:acyl-carrier protein transacylase (SAT) domain was discovered in the nonreducing PKS. This domain is thought to accept the fatty acid product from the FAS to initiate polyketide synthesis. We expressed the C. immitis SAT domain in Escherichia coli and showed that this domain, unlike that from the aflatoxin pathway PKS, transferred octanoyl-CoA four times faster than hexanoyl-CoA. The SAT domain also formed a covalent octanoyl intermediate and transferred this group to a free-standing ACP domain. Our results suggest that C. immitis/posadasii, both human fungal pathogens, contain a FAS/PKS cluster with functional similarity to the aflatoxin cluster found in Aspergillus species. Dissection of the PKS and determination of in vitro SAT domain specificity provides a tool to uncover the growing number of similar sequenced pathways in fungi, and to guide elucidation of the fatty acid-polyketide hybrid metabolites that they produce.
CEREBRAL CHANGES IN CYTOCHROME aa 3 AS AN INDICATOR OF BILIRUBIN UNCOUPLING OF OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION

The flow of electrons from substrates through the mitochondria respiratory chain to cytochrome aa3 (Cyt aa3) and O2 provides the energy for ATP production by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Bilirubin by uncoupling OXPHOS interfers with this process. This should result in an increased flow of electrons and therefore a tendency for Cyt aa3 to become more reduced. A near-infrared, multiwavelength, differential spectrophotometer was used to test whether hyperbilirubinemia alone or in association with hyperosmolar opening (HOSMO) of blood brain barrier (BBB) can affect the redox state of Cyt aa3. Eight anaesthetized rats, m.wt = 229 g were studied. Following achievement of a steady state of 30% inspired O2 the rats received an IV infusion of bilirubin, dissolved in 0.1 N NaOH, 4% albumin in 1 M PO4 buffer sol., calculated to reach a Se. bili.conc. of 30 mg/dl. Hyperbilirubinemia alone caused a slight or no reduction in Cyt aa3 oxygenated lib (HbO2) or blood volume (BV), However, in combination with HOSMO of BBB with IV infusion of 1.6M arabinose sol., there was a significant reduction of Cyt aa3, 26–47% of total labile signal, smaller changes in HbO2 and an increase in BV. A second dose of arabinose caused an exaggeration of these changes. Similar studies with 5 newborn piglets yielded similar results. We conclude that changes in the redox state of Cyt aa3 can be developed as an index of bilirubin toxicity. Near-infrared spectroscopy may be used to amplify clinical and biochemical findings and assess the risks of hyperbilirubinemia.
Prevalence and distribution of bacteriophage φAa DNA in strains of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

φAa is a bacteriophage that was originally isolated by induction of a lysogenic strain of the oral bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. Since the discovery of phage φAa, additional phages infecting several other strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans have been identified. To determine the prevalence of φAa or φAa-related temperate phages in this species, a φAa-specific DNA probe was prepared to screen for homologous sequences among 42 strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Fourteen (33%) of the 42 strains examined contained DNA sequences that hybridized with the phage φAa probe. A bacteriophage designated φAa33384 was isolated by induction from one of the strains (ATCC 33384) that contained a sequence that hybridized with the φAa probe. The φAa probe hybridized with the DNA extracted from bacteriophage φAa33384. The distribution of the phage φAa sequence among A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes was 513 (38%) of the serotype a strains, 016 (0%) of the serotype b strains, and 913 (69%) of the serotype c strains. The results of this investigation suggest that the target sequence prepared from the phage φAa genome is fairly common in the A. actinomycetemcomitans chromosome, and that the sequence is distributed among the A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in a seemingly nonrandom manner.
Coaxial Alignment of Laser Beams for Perturbation Experiments

An instrument is described for the coaxial alignment of two laser beams, one of which is a continuous wave helium–neon laser, the other one a pulsed neodynium glass laser. The helium–neon laser beam is aligned such that it propagates in the axis of the pulsed laser beam and thus permits observation of changes before, during, and after the occurrence of the pulsed laser event. Although the design emphasized the 1.35-μ sidebands of the neodymium laser, most tests were conducted at 1.06 μ where neodymium in glass ordinarily operates. A residual nonlinearly polarized component of the pulsed laser light caused considerable disturbance in the detection circuit and prevented low level detection of perturbation effects.
Differences in QRS configuration during unipolar pacing from adjacent sites: Implications for the spatial resolution of pace-mapping

Abstract To examine the spatial resolution of unipolar pace-mapping, 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) recorded during pacing from each of (he poles of a quadripolar catheter (5 mm interelectrode distance) were examined. Unipolar pacing was performed from each of the poles at late diastolic threshold, twice threshold and 10 mA at a cycle length of 500 ms. In 15 patients, pacing was performed at the right ventricular apex and in 14 at various left ventricular sites. Pacing from the distal catheter pole at threshold (index ECG) was used to simulate the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia, and all other ECGs were compared with the index ECG. Electrocardiograms were evaluated by two independent observers for 1) minor configuration differences (notch, new small component, change in the amplitude of individual components or change in QRS shape); 2) major differences in configuration (new large component, marked change in the amplitude of an existing component or two minor changes); and 3) peak to peak changes in amplitude. Minor differences in configuration were seen in a mean 2.4 ± 1.9, 4.6 ± 2.4 and 4.4 ± 2.9 leads during pacing at 5. 10 and 15 mm from the distal electrode (index site). Major differences in configuration were seen in a mean of 0.3 ± 0.5, 2.1 ± 2.1 and 3.7 ± 2.3 leads during pacing at 5, 10 and 15 mm from the index site. Differences in amplitude were seen in a mean of 3.1 ± 2.2, 5.6 ± 2.5 and 6.8 ± 3.0 leads per ECG during pacing at 5, 10 and 15 mm from the index ECG pacing site, respectively. During pacing at 5 mm from the index site, 24 of 29 patients had ECGs with at least one lead showing a configuration difference; 28 of 29 patients had ECGs with at least one lead showing an amplitude or configuration difference. Pacing current strength had no effect on configuration differences found during unipolar pacing and had minor effects on amplitude differences. In conclusion, if only major differences in configuration are sought, ECGs during pacing from sites as far apart as 15 mm may be similar. However, if ECGs are examined for minor differences in configuration and amplitude, pacing sites only 5 mm apart can usually be distinguished. Current strength has little effect on ECGs recorded during unipolar pacing. These findings suggest that the spatial resolution of unipolar pace-mapping is generally within 5 mm.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COSMETIC SURGERY: A REVIEW AND RECONCEPTUALIZATION

This article discusses the psychology of cosmetic surgery. A review of the research on the psychological characteristics of individuals who seek cosmetic surgery yielded contradictory findings. Interview-based investigations revealed high levels of psychopathology in cosmetic surgery patients, whereas studies that used standardized measurements reported far less disturbance. It is difficult to fully resolve the discrepancy between these two sets of findings. We believe that investigating the construct of body image in cosmetic surgery patients will yield more useful findings. Thus, we propose a model of the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and cosmetic surgery and outline a research agenda based upon the model. Such research will generate information that is useful to the medical and mental health communities and, ultimately, the patients themselves.
Storage and phase conjugation of multiple images using backward-stimulated echoes in Pr 3+ :LaF 3

We have observed long-term storage and phase conjugation of multiple images by using a backward-stimulated echo scheme in the 3H4–3P0 transition of Pr3+:LaF3 crystal. The temporal order of the multiple-echo images is the reverse of that of the input images. Each of the echo images is a phase-conjugate replica of the input images and lasts as long as 15 sec. This constitutes, in principle, the first reported demonstration of an ultrafast holographic movie using a stimulated photon echo.
Probability of maintaining target track for nonmanoeuvring targets approaching a uniformly scanning search radar

A lower bound for the scan period that maximises the probability of maintaining target track for a uniformly scanning radar is determined. The value is orders of magnitude greater than common scan periods, and therefore this is not a reasonable optimality criterion. The result is valid for all target cross-section fluctuation models.
Interactive Toys and Children's Education: Strategies for Educators and Parents

(2000). Interactive Toys and Children's Education: Strategies for Educators and Parents. Childhood Education: Vol. 77, No. 2, pp. 81-85.
s- and r-process contributions to extinct radioactivities

Abstract There is now evidence, ranging in quality from very strong to marginal, for the existence in early solar system material of ten radionuclides with mean lives long enough for them to be incorporated live in our planetary system but not long enough to be live at the present time. Of these ten, one (244Pu) is unquestionably an r-process product, and for ( 135Cs, 107Pd, 129I, and 182Hf) might in principle have been made by either the r-process or the s-process. One of us has constructed a model for the history of the local part of the galaxy into which the abundances of the ten extinct nuclides can be fitted. The purpose of the present paper is to explain in greater detail the reasoning that has led to the assignment of 129I to the r-process and the assignment of the others to the s-process. These latter assignments do not correspond to the traditional assignments of these nuclides as primarily r-process products. It is shown that most of the so-called r-process isobars in the solar system abundance table can have s-process contributions in lower mass AGB stars where peak neutron number densities of 3 × 109 to 3 × 1010 cm−3 are expected during helium shell flashes.
Specialization and evolutionary branching within migratory populations

Understanding the mechanisms that drive specialization and speciation within initially homogeneous populations is a fundamental challenge for evolutionary theory. It is an issue of relevance for significant open questions in biology concerning the generation and maintenance of biodiversity, the origins of reciprocal cooperation, and the efficient division of labor in social or colonial organisms. Several mathematical frameworks have been developed to address this question and models based on evolutionary game theory or the adaptive dynamics of phenotypic mutation have demonstrated the emergence of polymorphic, specialized populations. Here we focus on a ubiquitous biological phenomenon, migration. Individuals in our model may evolve the capacity to detect and follow an environmental cue that indicates a preferred migration route. The strategy space is defined by the level of investment in acquiring personal information about this route or the alternative tendency to follow the direction choice of others. The result is a relation between the migratory process and a game theoretic dynamic that is generally applicable to situations where information may be considered a public good. Through the use of an approximation of social interactions, we demonstrate the emergence of a stable, polymorphic population consisting of an uninformed subpopulation that is dependent upon a specialized group of leaders. The branching process is classified using the techniques of adaptive dynamics.
Potential Biases in Predicted Transmitting Abilities of Females from Preferential Treatment

Abstract Data were simulated according to the USDA animal model to determine potential biases in female PTA from preferential treatment. Ten scenarios for preferential treatment were investigated. Scenarios were defined according to three factors: number of records for the cows receiving preferential treatment, whether all or only second and later records received preferential treatment, and whether preferential treatment was added only to records of cows selected for preferential treatment or to selected cows and their relatives (dam or dam and maternal sibs). Three levels of preferential treatment were studied. Each was studied separately to allow straightforward determination of whether bias increased linearly as level of preferential treatment increased. For each scenario, bias increased linearly as level of preferential treatment increased, but magnitude of bias varied across scenarios. As a proportion of preferential treatment effect, bias in PTA ranged from .06 to .39. Affording preferential treatment to relatives increased bias more than increasing the number of lactations with preferential treatment.
Methodology for the Parametric Structural Conceptual Design of Hypersonic Vehicles

Presented at the 5th World Aviation Congress and Exposition, San Diego, CA, October 10-12, 2000.
Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin: Reconsiderations on a 'neo-Narodnik litterateur'

The work of Nikolai I. Bukharin is often similarly misrepresented by scholars of otherwise very different political inclinations. Many mainstream scholars sympathize with Bukhar-in's alleged "right deviation"; on the other hand, Trotskyists blame Bukharin for Stalinism. Both groups, each for different reasons, then seek to portray Bukharin as a social democrat rather than a Bolshevik. Common to both left and mainstream analyses is the avowal of a supposed theoretical and political "break" in Bukharin's thinking around 1921, during the introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in Soviet Russia, a view which will be challenged here.This paper additionally seeks to provide some examples of fairly serious distortions of Bukharin's thinking, and to rectify matters by recourse to the original texts. Hopefully, this will make Bukharin into something less of a strawperson, and will enable his own arguments to be realistically criticized as well as allowing the potentially flawed perspectives of his opponents ...
Patient-Nephrologist Discussions About Kidney Transplantation As a Treatment Option

Little is known about how nephrologists discuss transplantation as a treatment option with end-stage renal disease patients. The authors sought to describe the content and manner of patient-nephrologist discussions about transplantation. Using a cross-sectional study design, we interviewed 79 chronic hemodialysis patients and 12 nephrologists using a semistructured questionnaire that focused on nephrologist and patient reports of discussions about transplantation. The authors found that nephrologists provided information on treatment options gradually over several weeks to months. They generally presented the option of dialysis first, then transplantation, but avoided discussing mortality data. Nephrologists said they encouraged most patients, but especially young patients, to seek transplantation. Of all patients, 68% reported being encouraged to seek transplantation by nephrologists. Low socioeconomic status patients were less likely to report being encouraged to seek transplantation even after adjustment for transplant suitability. Both nephrologists and patients avoided discussing life expectancy data. In conclusion, patient age and socioeconomic status appear to influence discussions of transplantation as a treatment option. Further work is needed to determine how the content and manner of such discussions affect treatment decisions.
Interparental conflict in kindergarten and adolescent adjustment: prospective investigation of emotional security as an explanatory mechanism.

Advancing the long-term prospective study of explanations for the effects of marital conflict on children’s functioning, relations were examined between interparental conflict in kindergarten, children’s emotional insecurity in the early school years, and subsequent adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Based on a community sample of 235 mothers, fathers, and children (Ms = 6.00, 8.02, 12.62 years), and multimethod and multireporter assessments, structural equation model tests provided support for emotional insecurity in early childhood as an intervening process related to adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems, even with stringent autoregressive controls over prior levels of functioning for both mediating and outcome variables. Discussion considers implications for understanding pathways between interparental conflict, emotional insecurity, and adjustment in childhood and adolescence.
Fields in the Neighborhood of a Caustic

Starting with Picht's solution of the wave equation in the form of an integral of plane waves over a caustic, we derive expressions for the solution which depend entirely on the geometry of the problem. An asymptotic evaluation of Picht's integral for high frequencies gives the desired result which can have a number of different forms, depending on the precise region where the field is being observed. In particular, a change in the asymptotic field occurs in going from the regular ray field to the caustic or from a regular part of the caustic to a cusp.
Universal HSPICE macromodel for giant magnetoresistance memory bits

Nonvolatile semiconductor storage using giant magnetoresistance (GMR) memory bits has the potential for revolutionizing both high-density and high-speed memory applications with devices exhibiting unlimited write endurance and very low write energy. This paper presents the first universal circuit macromodel for GMR memory bits. The macromodel is realized as a four-terminal subcircuit that emulates GMR bit behavior over a wide range of sense and word-line currents. It realistically models the nonlinear and hysteretic behavior of GMR memory bits, their transient thermal behavior, and the sense-current dependency of their write thresholds. The model is flexible and relatively simple: Ranges of the write/read currents and bit resistance values are incorporated as parameterized variables, and no semiconductor devices are used within the model.
Macro-to fine-scale spatial and temporal distributions and dynamics of phytoplankton and their environmental driving forces in a small montane lake in southern California, USA

A wireless network of buoys, two autonomous robotic boats, and an autonomous tethered vertical profiling system were used to characterize phytoplankton dynamics and spatiotemporal changes in chemical and physical forcing factors in a small montane lake (Lake Fulmor, Idyllwild, California). Three deployments each year were conducted in 2005 and 2006 to examine seasonal changes in the structure of the lake and phytoplankton assemblage, as well as fine-scale temporal and spatial variations. The buoys yielded fine-scale temporal patterns of in situ fluorescence and temperature, while the vertical profiling system yielded two-dimensional, cross-sectional profiles of several parameters. The autonomous vehicles provided information on fluorescence and corresponding temperature patterns across the surface of the lake. Average, lake-wide chlorophyll concentrations increased 10- fold seasonally, and strong anoxia developed in the hypolimnion during the summer. The latter process dramatically affected vertical chemical gradients in the 5 m water column of the lake. Small-scale spatial (<1 m) and temporal (minutes) heterogeneity in fluorescence were surprisingly large. These variations were due predominantly to vertical mixing of the phytoplankton assemblage and to phytoplankton vertical migratory behavior. Large peaks in fluorescence at 0.5-m occurred at very short time intervals (minutes) during all deployments, and appeared to be due to upward mixing of deeper dwelling eukaryotic phytoplankton during early-mid-summer, or downward mixing of surface-associated cyanobacteria during late summer.
Global gene expression during nitrogen starvation in the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe grisea

Efficient regulation of nitrogen metabolism likely plays a role in the ability of fungi to exploit ecological niches. To learn about regulation of nitrogen metabolism in the rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea, we undertook a genome-wide analysis of gene expression under nitrogen-limiting conditions. Five hundred and twenty genes showed increased transcript levels at 12 and 48 h after shifting the fungus to media lacking nitrate as a nitrogen source. Thirty-nine of these genes have putative functions in amino acid metabolism and uptake, and include the global nitrogen regulator in M. grisea, NUT1. Evaluation of seven nitrogen starvation-induced genes revealed that all were expressed during rice infection. Targeted gene replacement on one such gene, the vacuolar serine protease, SPM1, resulted in decreased sporulation and appressorial development as well as a greatly attenuated ability to cause disease. Data are discussed in the context of nitrogen metabolism under starvation conditions, as well as conditions potentially encountered during invasive growth in planta.
Coherent detection in Laplace noise

The discrete-time detection of a time-varying, additive signal in independent Laplace noise is considered. Previous efforts in this area have been restricted to the constant signal, and identically distributed noise case. Theoretical (closed form) expressions for the false alarm and detection probabilities are developed for both the Neyman-Pearson optimal detector and the classical matched filter detector. Comparisons between the two detectors are made which illustrate the effects of signal-to-noise power ratio and sample size for certain false alarm and detection probability constraints. In view of the fact that the optimal Laplace detector is not UMP, we also investigate the effect of signal amplitude mismatch. >
MEASUREMENT OF JOINT PHOTON-NUMBER DISTRIBUTION OF A TWIN-BEAM STATE BY MEANS OF OPTICAL HOMODYNE TOMOGRAPHY

We report the first measurement of the joint photon-number probability distribution for a two-mode quantum state created by a nondegenerate optical parametric amplifier. The measured distribution exhibits inherently quantum correlations between the signal and idler photon numbers, whereas the marginal distributions are thermal as expected for parametric fluorescence.
Randomized trial of filgrastim versus chemotherapy and filgrastim mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells for rescue in autologous transplantation

Peripheral blood cell (PBC) rescue has become the mainstay for autologous transplantation in patients with lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and solid tumors. Different methods of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) mobilization are in use without an established standard. Forty-seven patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma received salvage chemotherapy and were randomized to have HPC mobilization using filgrastim [granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] alone for 4 days at 10 microg/kg per day (arm A) or cyclophosphamide (5 g/m(2)) and G-CSF at 10 microg/kg per day until hematologic recovery (arm B). Engraftment and ease of PBC collection were primary outcomes. All patients underwent the same high-dose chemotherapy followed by reinfusion of PBCs. There were no differences in median time to neutrophil engraftment (11 days in both arms; P =.5) or platelet engraftment (14 days in arm A, 13 days in arm B; P =.35). Combined chemotherapy and G-CSF resulted in higher CD34(+) cell collection than G-CSF alone (median, 7.2 vs 2.5 x 10(6) cells/kg; P =.004), but this did not impact engraftment. No differences were found in other PBC harvest outcomes or resource utilization measures. A high degree of tumor contamination, as studied by consensus CDR3 polymerase chain reaction of the mobilized PBCs, was present in both arms (92% in arm A vs 90% in arm B; P = 1). No differences were found in overall survival or progression-free survival at a median follow-up of 21 months. This randomized trial provides clinical evidence that the use of G-CSF alone is adequate for HPC mobilization, even in heavily pretreated patients with relapsed lymphoma.
How not to argue about immigration

This paper describes and assesses the arguments offered both against closed borders and in favor of a more open borders approach to U.S. immigration reform as those arguments are set forth in R. Pevnick's book, Immigration and the Constraints of Justice. We find numerous problems with Pevnick's reasoning on both counts.
Thermal decomposition of palladium-imidazole complexes

Two Pd-imidazole complexes have been synthesized following the reaction of PdCl2 and imidazole at 1∶2 and 1∶4 metal∶ ligand ratios. Elemental and thermogravimetric analytical data obtained from these compounds illustrate that they have the formulae Pd(IMDAH)2Cl2 · 4H2O and Pd(IMDAH)3Cl2 (IMDAH = imidazole), respectively. The mechanism of thermal decomposition for these complexes in air involves initial dissociation of H2O and IMDAH ligands in the 120–340 °C range, subsequent dissociation of the chloride atoms to form PdO in the 530–570 °C range, and finally formation of Pd metal at 820–840 °C.
Ants of Arkansas Post National Memorial: How and Where Collected

A knowledge of the fauna of natural areas is necessary for their sustainable management. Thus, intensive ant sampling over multiple years was conducted at Arkansas Post National Memorial in southeastern Arkansas. Our collecting techniques included: pitfalls; leaf litter sifting with Berlese extraction; breaking into twigs, branches, and coarse woody debris located on the ground; baiting tree trunks with peanut butter; and general hand collecting. Ants were collected from diverse habitats, including: open mowed-grass, mowed-grass under hardwood trees, unmowed tall-grass and weeds, and numerous forest types. A total of 43 species in 25 genera and 6 subfamilies were identified. The number of species discovered varied by sampling technique: leaf litter extraction collected 28, wood breaking 29, tree baiting 9, hand collecting 25, and pitfalls 35. Two-way hierarchical cluster analysis of ant species against sampled habitats showed that 5 species were almost ubiquitous, while 9 species were present in many of the forested habitats, and 29 other species were much less common. The analysis also showed that successionally “older” forested habitats usually had richer ant communities than successionally “younger” ones, although there were several important exceptions. Additionally, mowed areas without trees supported the fewest ant species, while mowed areas with overhead trees supported more species.
Molecular Mechanisms of Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents in three major forms: inherited, sporadic, and familial. Although the mechanisms underlying familial CRC are poorly understood, a large body of evidence suggests that inherited and sporadic CRC are caused by sequential genetic and molecular events. There are three distinct pathways of CRC pathogenesis: the chromosomal instability pathway (CIN), the microsatellite instability pathway (MSI), and the serrated pathway. The majority of CRCs arise from the CIN pathway, which is characterized by defects in chromosomal segregation, telomere stability, and the DNA damage response. Microsatellite instability derives from the loss of DNA mismatch repair and is found in about 15 % of all CRCs, 3 % of which are associated with Lynch syndrome. The serrated pathway, recognized only in the last 15 years, describes the progression of serrated polyps to CRC. The goal of this chapter is to discuss the key genetic and molecular elements of each pathway from a historical perspective and to describe the relevance of this knowledge to the care of patients with CRC.
Equivalence Relations and Modular Arithmetic

In this chapter we discuss equivalence relations and illustrate how they apply to basic number theory. Equivalence relations are of fundamental importance in mathematics. The epigraph by Poincare at the top of this page “says it all,” but perhaps an explanation of what he had in mind would help. As an example, consider the set of all members of a club. Group together those whose birthdays occur in the same month. Two members are thus declared “equivalent” if they belong to the same group—if their birthdays are in the same month—and the set of people in one group is called an “equivalence class.” Every club member belongs to one and only one equivalence class. Before You Get Started. Consider our birthday groups. What properties do you notice about our birth-month equivalence relation and about the equivalence classes? Can you think of other examples in which we group things together? Does this lead to a guess as to how you might define equivalence relations in general?
Salient body image concerns of patients with cancer undergoing head and neck reconstruction

Background Patients with cancer undergoing head and neck reconstruction can experience significant distress from alterations in appearance and bodily functioning. We sought to delineate salient dimensions of body image concerns in this patient population preparing for reconstructive surgery. Methods Participants completed self-report questionnaires evaluating numerous aspects of body image. We used Bayesian factor analysis modeling methods to identify latent factors emerging from the data. Results We identified 2 latent factors: appearance distress and functional difficulties. The highest level of preoperative body image concerns were related to distress about appearance changes and its perceived social consequences. Appearance distress items displayed greater variability compared with functional difficulties. Conclusion Appearance and functional changes to body image are important areas of concern for patients with head and neck cancer as they prepare for reconstructive surgery. Knowledge regarding specific body image issues can be used to guide psychosocial assessments and intervention to enhance patient care. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016
Systems engineering education

The article discusses some basic principles underlying systems engineering, and the translation of these principles to practices such as to enable the engineering of trustworthy systems of all types that meet client needs. The article is concerned with systems engineering education. Thus, it is inherently also concerned with systems engineering, as this provides a major component of the material that is important for systems engineering education. After setting forth some of the necessary ingredients for success in systems engineering, we devote some comments to objectives for and needs in systems engineering education.
Introduction of Role Playing to a Research Ethics Module for the Undergraduate

As part of the NSF supported SUMMIT (San Jose State University/IBM Almaden Research Center collaboration) REU and CPIMA (Stanford University/Almaden) SURE undergraduate internship programs we have developed a workshop that emphasizes the scientific community’s dependence on ethical behavior for its success and advancement at this nascent stage of a scientific career. We have successfully introduced open-ended role playing based on recent real life ethics cases as reported in the scientific news to a foundation presentation based on the APS Ethics and Professional Conduct Guidelines for Physicists. The goal is to foster discussion of complex cases and their effects not only on the protagonists but on the scientific community.
Effects of various additives on in vitro parameters related to viability and function of stored canine blood.

The efficacy of various chemical additives combined with acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) and citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) solutions for preserving canine whole blood was determined. The criteria used to evaluate the additives were the red blood cell content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG). The addition of adenine andphosphate, with adjustment of the preservative pH to 6·5, best maintained those chemicals associated with viability and functional capacity of the red blood cells. The addition of pyruvate, with adjustment of the media pH to 6·5, and the addition of ascorbic acid also were beneficial. CPD solution is more effective than ACD for preserving canine blood.