cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear groupoids and the associated wreath products

A groupoid identity is said to be linear of length 2k if the same k variables appear on both sides of the identity exactly once. We classify and count all varieties of groupoids defined by a single linear identity. For k=3, there are 14 nontrivial varieties and they are in the most general position with respect to inclusion. Hentzel et al. [Hentzel, I.R., Jacobs, D.P., Muddana, S.V., 1993. Experimenting with the identity (xy)z=y(zx). J. Symbolic Comput. 16, 289-293] showed that the linear identity (xy)z=y(zx) implies commutativity and associativity in all products of at least five factors. We complete their project by showing that no other linear identity of any length behaves this way, and by showing how the identity (xy)z=y(zx) affects products of fewer than five factors; we include distinguishing examples produced by the finite model builder Mace4. The corresponding combinatorial results for labelled binary trees are given. We associate a certain wreath product with any linear identity. Questions about linear groupoids can therefore be transferred to groups and attacked by group-theoretical computational tools, e.g., GAP. Systematic notation and diagrams for linear identities are devised. A short equational basis for Boolean algebras involving the identity (xy)z=y(zx) is presented, together with a proof produced by the automated theorem prover OTTER.
Fabrication and Characterization of Single Pores for Modeling Mass Transport across Porous Membranes

An Au membrane containing a single pore was fabricated using a template approach. The pore diameter is defined by the diameter of a glass fiber template and the pore length by the amount of Au electroplated over a seed pore. The utility of the single pore for modeling mass transport is demonstrated by configuring the pore as a Coulter counter to monitor the transport of 440 nm diameter polystyrene spheres. An important advantage of this Au membrane model is that the pore surface chemistry can be modified with a self-assembled monolayer. However, the metallic Au surface also requires minimizing the exposed membrane area in order to reduce the interfering charging/faradaic current and to shorten the instrumental response time.
Correction of facial contour deformities with prefabricated sculptured implants.

Close collaboration between the ophthalmologist and ocularist is essential to achieve the best results in the correction of facial contour deformities with prefabricated, sculptured implants. We used previously described techniques to make such implants with RTV-382 silicone and methyl methacrylate resin to correct facial defects. One patient with bony defects of the forehead and superior orbital rim, and another patient with a superior sulcus deformity illustrate the value of these procedures
A temperate reef fish, Tautogolabrus adspersus, (Walbaum) as a potential model species for laboratory studies evaluating reproductive effects of chemical exposure.

In ecotoxicological testing, there are few studies that report on reproductive output (egg production) of marine or estuarine fish. Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) were studied as a potential model species to evaluate the impact of pollutants with estrogenic activity on reproduction in estuarine fish populations. Cunner inhabit marine and estuarine areas where contaminant discharges are likely. Baseline values for cunner gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) were determined in a field reference site (April 1999-December 1999). Male and female GSI indicated that cunner spawning is synchronized. Female HSI and VTG increased prior to GSI. From our laboratory observations, cunner are suitable for conducting experiments with reproductive endpoints indicative of both exposure (vitellogenin levels) and effects (egg production). However, cunner are not sexually dimorphic and stripping ripe fish is the only method to distinguish sex. In preparation for laboratory exposure studies with cunner, we designed a laboratory experimental holding system to accommodate cunner's reproductive behavior, a vertical spawning run to the water surface. Cunner were successfully acclimated from overwintering torpor to spawning condition in the laboratory by gradually changing the environmental conditions of fish held at winter conditions (4°C and 9:15-h light:dark photoperiod) to spawning condition (18°C and 15:9-h light:dark photoperiod). Our results show that cunner successfully spawned daily in the laboratory. They produced fertile eggs in our experimental system designed to accommodate cunner's vertical spawning runs, demonstrating that male and female reproductive behavior was synchronized in the laboratory. Our observations indicate that cunner would be a useful model species for evaluating reproductive effects of environmental contaminants in laboratory studies.
Partial characterization of soluble esterase from Heterodera glycines and inhibition by aldicarb and phenamiphos.

Abstract 1. Homogenates of tissues from females of the nematode Heterodera glycines were clarified by centrifugation and used to initiate characterization of soluble esterases using p -nitrophenyl ace substrate. 2. Optimum temperature and pH were 40°C and 7.2, respectively. 3. Acetazolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) at 10 −3 M did not inhibit enzyme activity, indica that carbonic anhydrase was not present. 4. Phenamiphos (an organophosphate) at 10 −6 M reduce activity by 38%, whereas eserine hemisulfate (a cholinesterase inhibitor) and aldicarb (a carbamate) were not inhibitory at that concentration, indicating that there was no cholinesterase activity. 5. Eserine hemisulfate, aldicarb, and phenamiphos inhibited enzyme activity by 50% ( I 50 ) at 5 × 10 −3 M, 7.5 × 10 −4 M, and 6 × 10 −6 M, respectively. 6. Approximately 25% of the activity detected appeared due to A- and/or C-esterases. 7. The data demonstrated that aldicarb and phenamiphos were active against esterases other than acetylcholinesterase.
First positron flux measurements at the Argonne Positron Source (APosS)

The development of the APosS at the Argonne low-energy linac is discussed. We measured the yields and outline strategies to increase the number of slow positrons. We describe the measurement of the yield of slow positrons as a function of electron-beam energy and compare these results with theoretical calculations. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A cluster analysis of physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in middle school girls

Abstract Purpose To identify similar patterns of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior in sixth-grade girls using cluster analysis; to determine which clusters of girls were associated with greater daily minutes of objectively measured PA; and to examine whether girls in these clusters experienced change in PA from sixth to eighth grade. Methods An adventitious cohort of girls (n = 957) from the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls were measured at sixth and eighth grade. Activities were identified using the 3-day physical activity recall and a self-report survey and used to create clusters of sixth-grade girls who had similar PA/sedentary behaviors. Accelerometry was used to assess PA in sixth and eighth grade. Data analysis consisted of FASTCLUS procedure and mixed model repeated measures analyses in SAS statistical software. Results Cluster analysis yielded six clusters (C1: educational sedentary; C2: sports and play; C3: organized sports teams/classes/lessons in past year; C4: active transport and chores; C5: electronic media; C6: sleep). Sixth-grade girls in C2 and C3 had greater average daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), metabolic equivalent of a physical activity-weighted MVPA, and vigorous physical activity compared with other clusters ( p p Conclusions Encouraging participation in organized sports teams/class/lessons in middle school girls may promote greater MVPA and vigorous physical activity than other activities and may help to better sustain PA levels over time.
Susceptibility of Cotton Fruiting Forms to Insects, Boll Rot, and Physical Stress

Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., fruiting forms were divided into various classes based on their size and development. Susceptibility of these classes to insect pests, boll rots, and physical stresses was investigated. The size of fruiting forms most likely to shed was determined largely by inherent susceptibilities to physical stresses such as nutrient and moisture deficiencies. Small squares and small bolls were particularly susceptible to these stresses. Older squares and large bolls were relatively resistant to abscission.
Collisionless relaxation of photoexcited benzene ions

Abstract The collisionless energy relaxation of benzene ions following excitation by a visible-wavelength photon has been measured by kinetic analysis of two-photon photodissociation, using a chopped laser at varying chopping rate irradiating ions in the ICR ion trap. At 488 nm the relaxation rate of the ion of 11 s −1 is faster by a factor of 4 or 5 than that calculated for neutral benzene. The relaxation rate varies with wavelength over the range 458-515 nm from 8.5 to 12.3 s −1 in the manner expected for infrared-fluorescent energy dissipation from an excited ion whose excess energy is stored as vibrational excitation.
Red Cell Slip at a Wail in vitro

Interferometric microscope observations of flowing blood indicate that the absolute number of red cells maintaining sliding contact with a wall is of the order 10(4) per square centi meter at low flow rates. Contacting cell oscillation and orientation results are given. The near wall local hematocrit is found to be relatively low.
Effects of plant flavonoids and other allelochemicals on insect cytochrome P-450 dependent steroid hydroxylase activity

Abstract The plant flavonoids flavone, chrysin, apigenin, kaempferol, morin, quercetin, myricetin and phloretin were found to inhibit in a dose-dependent manner the cytochrome P-450 dependent ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity associated with adult female Aedes aegypti, wandering stage larvae of Drosophila melanogaster, and fat body and midgut from prewandering and wandering stage last instar larvae of Manduca sexta. The concentrations of these flavonoids required to elicit a 50% inhibition of the steroid hydroxylase activity in all the insects ranged from ca 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−3 M. In addition, lower concentrations (1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−5 M) of the flavonols kaempfenol, morin, quercetin and myricetin significantly stimulated (50–100% above control) M. sexta fat body ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity. Other plant allelochemicals examined and found to significantly inhibit insect ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity include corynanthine, quinidine, and quinine; whereas, indican and mimosine were found to significantly stimulate M. sexta fat body steroid hydroxylase activity. Several allelochemicals were without effect at all concentrations tested. Although none of the compounds tested in this study elicited effects at very low concentrations (1 × 10−9 to 1 × 10−8 M), the in vitro monooxygenase radioassay does hold considerable promise as a screening tool for the detection and identification of plant allelochemicals which may function as biopesticides affecting insect ecdysteroidogenesis.
Design and Development of a Virtual Reality Simulator for Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training

The use of virtual reality (VR) training tools for medical education could lead to improvements in the skills of clinicians while providing economic incentives for healthcare institutions. The use of VR tools can also mitigate some of the drawbacks currently associated with providing medical training in a traditional clinical environment such as scheduling conflicts and the need for specialized equipment (e.g., high-fidelity manikins). This paper presents the details of the framework and the development methodology associated with a VR-based training simulator for advanced cardiac life support, a time critical, team-based medical scenario. In addition, we also report the key findings of a usability study conducted to assess the efficacy of various features of this VR simulator through a postuse questionnaire administered to various care providers. The usability questionnaires were completed by two groups that used two different versions of the VR simulator. One version consisted of the VR trainer with it all its features and a minified version with certain immersive features disabled. We found an increase in usability scores from the minified group to the full VR group.
Comparing bird community responses to forest fragmentation in two lowland Central American reserves

Abstract Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce diversity of tropical bird communities, but the predictability of how communities in fragments disintegrate over time remains unclear. We compared bird community changes of two lowland forest reserves, La Selva Biological Station (LSBS), Costa Rica and Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, both approximately the same size (1500 ha) and at similar latitude (9–10 N) in Central America. Both reserves are losing bird species despite LSBS’s connection to an existing large park (incomplete isolation) and BCI’s favorable location within a largely forested landscape. We examined characteristics of guilds and species lost from the sites to determine whether patterns were similar, and thus predictable. Some of the same guilds declined at both reserves, particularly insectivores and ground/understory nesters. At LSBS mixed-species flock participants, forest species, and burrow-nesters also declined or became extirpated disproportionately. At BCI edge species became extirpated. Body mass was a poor predictor of species and guild loss at both sites, except for carnivores at La Selva. Thus, fragmentation appears to influence some guilds more than others, but which species decline or disappear in tropical forest fragments is also influenced by site-specific factors, mostly yet to be determined. We need to understand such idiosyncratic effects of fragmentation better, rather than rely on one-size-fits-all management plans to conserve bird communities in tropical forest fragments.
PERMANENCE OF IDENTITIES ON ALGEBRAS

Abstract : Any equational class closed under taking complex algebras can be defined by a set of identities using only words with no repeated symbols. This is the special case for trivially ordered algebras of the main theorem. (Author)
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment decreases inflammation and mechanical hypersensitivity in an animal model of inflammatory pain

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used to treat a variety of ailments from carbon monoxide poisoning to fibromyalgia. The purpose of this experiment was to explore the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on carrageenan-induced inflammation and pain in rats. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment significantly decreased inflammation and pain following carrageenan injection. Clinically hyperbaric oxygen may be used in situations where NSAIDS are contraindicated or in persistent cases of inflammation.
Variation with Temperature of the Energy of Recoil-Free Gamma Rays from Solids

The energy of the 14.4-Pev gamma ray emitted without recoil by 0.1- mu sec Fe/sup 57/ in metallic iron was experimentally determined to depend upon the temperature of the metal. (C.J.G.)
Principal Leadership and Teacher Motivation under High-Stakes Accountability Policies

This article examines principal leadership and teacher motivation in schools under accountability sanctions. The conceptual framework is grounded in research on expectancy theory and transformational leadership. The study involves a survey of Chicago teachers and indicates that principal instructional leadership and support for change are associated with teacher expectancy. In addition, teacher experience, advanced education, and race, as well as the school's performance level, are associated with teacher expectancy. Finally, teacher expectancy is associated with a school's ability to move off of probation status. These findings have important implications in the current policy context.
Online A/B tests & experiments: a practical but scientifically informed introduction

This course helps attendees design effective online randomized experiments and A/B tests, in situations from Amazon Mechanical Turk to online course platforms. We discuss how to identify whether to run an experiment and what the appropriate comparison is, how to choose or construct outcome measures, and how to run an experiment on Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT). We briefly review statistical significance and provide examples of bootstrapping. For each topic, we present relevant background concepts, discuss how the topic is applied to a concrete A/B test (where treatment A is compared to treatment B), discuss experimental design guidelines and heuristics, and provide web resources for future reference or further learning.
The International Criminal Court and the External Non-Witness Expert(s), Problematic Concerns: An Exploratory Endeavour

The role of the expert in criminal justice proceedings has long been an area of contention and debate among practitioners and scholars. Yet, there has been little to no discussion of the role of experts within the International Criminal Court (ICC). Here a bifurcation is drawn between those experts that are witnesses and the non-witness experts that are 'hidden' from the official processes, yet play a role in the investigations and analysis of cases. The focus of this piece is on the Office of the Prosecutor's (OTP) (hired) external non-witness experts. To date, there has been little to no criminological attention to this phenomenon. Yet there are organic concerns such as the process of knowledge-making, objectivity, 'truth' and substantive and procedural concerns that merit attention given that they are contracted to provide expertise in a particular area to help inform the way in which evidence is analyzed with the broader goal of 'proving' something important in a trial. Additionally, there is institutional equality of arms concerns related to the use of these non-disclosed experts that directly relates to due process. The use of non-witness experts is further complicated by the multiplicity of and/or relevance of fields from which they are drawn. It is the goal of this paper to explore these issues and provide a frame for theoretically situating the impact of non-witness external experts on the judicial process within the context of the ICC.
Crustal modeling of the North Atlantic from spectrally correlated free-air and terrain gravity

Abstract We investigate the use of the correlations between free-air and terrain gravity for extending critical, but spatially restricted seismic constraints on the crust of the North Atlantic region. In this tectonically complicated area, we spectrally correlate spherical coordinate free-air gravity anomalies against computed gravity effects of the terrain at 20 km altitude for regional crustal thickness variations. However, at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, thermal plume, and rift zones of Iceland, our gravity Moho estimates are deeper than the seismic estimates to suggest local reductions of upper mantle density. Invoking thermal expansion, partial melting, and related mantle depletion effectively accounts for the reductions that range up to a few percent of mantle density. The resultant North Atlantic crustal model conforms well to regional seismic constraints. Crustal thickness estimates for Iceland ranging from 25 to 35 km are consistent with seismic predictions of a thickened crust. However, about the plume and rift zones, temperatures approaching the basalt solidus may reach depths up to about 20 km. Continental crust extending from the Jan Mayen Platform to the eastern Iceland Plateau appears to have rifted off eastern Greenland by magnetic chron 7 (ca. 26–28 Ma). A now obscure transform boundary on the Iceland Plateau that may include a rift or fault separating the southeastern Iceland Plateau from the rest of the plateau transformed Reykjanes Ridge spreading from the extinct Aegir Ridge. Thickened crust extends up to 500 km across the Greenland–Scotland Ridge. Prominent necking of our crustal thickness estimates for the Greenland–Iceland Ridge immediately west and east of the Iceland Plateau may reflect the reduction in the strength of the Icelandic Plume at ca. 26–28 Ma. However, our results also map the broad, thickened crust of the Iceland Plateau and prominent Reykjanes Ridge that developed with the resurgence of the Icelandic Plume at ca. 25 Ma.
High plasma growth hormone (GH) levels inhibit expression of GH secretagogue receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the rat pituitary.

Synthetic GH secretagogues (GHSs) act via a receptor (GHS-R) distinct from that of GH-releasing hormone. The GHS-R has been cloned from the pituitary and is expressed not only in the pituitary but also in specific areas of the brain, including the hypothalamus. Recent studies suggest that hypothalamic GHS-R expression is regulated by GH. This study was designed to investigate whether pituitary GHS-R expression is modulated by GH. Female Wistar-Furth rats were injected sc with either saline (control) or GC tumor cells (GC) that secrete rat GH. The tumors were allowed to develop for 1–4 weeks. At weeks 1–4, control (n= 4–8) and GC rats (n = 3–8) were killed. Pituitary GHS-R messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by a quantitative competitive PCR assay. The endogenous GHS-R mRNA levels were measured by determining the amount of competitive template RNA required to produce equimolar amounts of native and competitive template PCR products. The mean log plasma GH levels were significantly greater in the GC rat group...
A research-versus-service model for training in community psychology

Community psychology is viewed as psychology in, of, for, and by the community -a "Gettysburg Address model." Service delivery systems should pro: mote accessibility, continuity, comprehensiveness, coordination, accountability, and consumer involvement. Training in community psychology should include knowledge and practice in a wide variety o f problems, roles, collaborative relationships, and settings, as well as in assessment methods and intervention methods. The necessary ingredients o f research training and service training are described. Community psychology merits a 2-track training program, a departure from the scientist-professional model. Training for community research and community practice should be conducted by an interdepartmental university division, rather than solely within the psychology department.
Modality in Language

This article discusses some of the ways in which natural language can express modal information – information which is, to a first approximation, about what could be or must be the case, as opposed to being about what actually is the case. It motivates, explains, and raises problems for Angelika Kratzer's influential theory of modal auxiliaries, and introduces a new approach to one important debate about the relationships between modality, evidentiality, context change, and imperative force.
Production of CO2 and H2 by Diking-Eruptive Events at Mid-Ocean Ridges: Implications for Abiotic Organic Synthesis and Global Geochemical Cycling

We have calculated the amounts of CO2 and H2 produced by complete degassing of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) magma, and by degassing during transient diking-eruptive events. Our CO2 calculations are based on a model estimate of an initial CO2 content of 1800 ppm in MORB magma, which is equivalent to 2.2 × 1012 mol CO2 per year for magma production at worldwide ocean ridges. Observations indicate that many MORB magmas are emplaced in numerous small pulses of dikes and associated lava flows with very short emplacement times, which would result in release of relatively large amounts of CO2 over short intervals. For example, a dike injected into the oceanic crust that extends from the top of its magma chamber at 2 km depth to the seafloor would degas 2.3 × 104 mol CO2 per m2 surface area of dike, and produce another 4.0 × 104 mol CO2 per m2 on complete crystallization. Unlike CO2, which is not strictly governed by crystallization-alteration processes, H2 is produced from MORB by the reduction of H2O by ferrou...
Relation of Materials of the Cell Nucleus to the Lethal Action of Ultra-Violet Radiation

SEVERAL workers have suggested the possible relationship of materials of the cell nucleus to the lethal action of ultra-violet radiation1–4, but there seems to have been no systematic study of the problem heretofore.
Nitrogen-fixing growth by nonheterocystous cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum

Many oxygen-evolving nonheterocystous cyanobacteria can synthesise nitrogenase1,2, but only a few are able to protect the enzyme from inhibition and denaturation by oxygen3–5. It is difficult to reconcile concomitant oxygenic photosynthesis and the obligately anaerobic process of nitrogen fixation in the remaining strains. One possibility is a temporal separation of the processes: Plectonema boryanum (U. Tex strain 594) has been shown6 to fix nitrogen and then grow oxygenically to the limits of the fixed nitrogen when incubated without combined nitrogen under N2/CO2. Growth was not extensive. Here conditions are described in which the same strain of P. boryanum will simultaneously fix nitrogen and grow extensively, fully pigmented, apparently with sufficient metabolic energy to drive nitrogen fixation.
A Conceptualization of Trust in International Relations

This article provides a conceptualization of trust in interstate relations in terms amenable to research. In the field of International Relations trust is often equated with the willingness to take risks on the behavior of others. However, this approach is problematic because it does not provide a basis for distinguishing between trusting and non-trusting relationships. In contrast, I propose that trust implies a willingness to take risks on the behavior of others based on the belief that potential trustees will `do what is right'. Recognizing that trust involves particular beliefs about the motivations of others distinguishes it from the broader category of risk and enables trusting relationships to be identified more precisely. After elaborating my definitional approach, I discuss indicators designed to gauge the presence of trusting interstate relations in empirical settings.
Sea urchin maternal mRNA classes with distinct developmental regulation

Previous studies of newly synthesized proteins during early development in sea urchins have revealed several different patterns of synthesis that can be used to predict the existence of mRNA classes with distinct regulatory controls. We have identified clones for abundant maternal mRNAs that are actively translated during early development by screening a cDNA library prepared from polysomal poly(A) + RNA isolated from 2-cell stage (2-hour) Strongylocentrotus purpuratus embryos. Probes prepared from these cDNA clones and several previously characterized maternal mRNA cDNAs were used to compare relative levels of individual mRNAs in eggs and embryos and their translational status at various developmental stages. These abundant mRNAs can be classified into two major groups which we have termed cleavage stage-specific (CSS) and post cleavage stage (PCS) mRNAs. The relative levels of the CSS mRNAs are highest during the rapid cleavage stage and decrease dramatically at the blastula stage (12-hours). In contrast, PCS mRNAs are present at relatively low levels during the rapid cleavage stage and then increase at the blastula stage. Polysome partition profiles reveal that CSS mRNAs are translated more efficiently than PCS mRNAs in the unfertilized egg, at fertilization, and during the cleavage stages. Following the blastula stage, some CSS transcripts move out of polysomes and accumulate as untranslated RNAs, while newly transcribed PCS mRNAS are recruited into polysomes. These data suggest that the rapid cell cycles following fertilization require high levels of specific cleavage stage proteins, and the synthesis of these proteins occurs preferentially over PCS mRNAs. © 1993Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of a mutant Chinese hamster cell line resistant to the glutamine analog 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine.

A mutant cell line, called don801, was isolated from a wild-type population of V79.5 Chinese hamster cells by its ability to grow in the presence of the glutamine analog 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON), which is toxic for V79.5 cells. The don801 cells were found not to be cross-resistant to another glutamine analog, O-diazoacetyl-l-serine (azaserine, AS). It was shown that guanine but neither hypoxanthine nor adenine protected V79.5 cells from the toxic effects of DON, while hypoxanthine and adenine, but not guanine protected them against AS toxicity. Exposure of wild-type cells to DON was shown to result in a specific reduction of intracellular GTP pools, while in the mutant cells there was no effect on GTP levels. These results strongly suggested that DON was specifically inhibiting guanylate synthetase (GMP synthetase;xanthosine-5′-phosphate:l-glutamine amidoligase, EC 6.3.5.2) in V79.5 cells and that the enzyme in don801 cells was resistant to inhibition. In vitro assays of GMP synthetase activities from V79.5 and don801 cells confirmed this hypothesis. The mutant phenotype was also found to be dominant in intraspecific cell hybrids.
Conservation of selection on matK following an ancient loss of its flanking intron

The chloroplast gene trnK and its associated group II intron appear to be absent in a large and ancient clade that includes nearly 90% of fern species. However, the maturase protein encoded within the intron (matK) is still present and located on the boundary of a large-scale inversion. We surveyed the chloroplast genome sequence of clade-member Adiantum capillus-veneris for evidence of a still present but fragmented trnK intron. Lack of signature structural domains and sequence motifs in the genome indicate loss of the trnK intron through degradation in an ancestor of the clade. In plants, matK preferentially catalyzes splicing of the trnK intron, but may also have a generalist function, splicing other group II introns in the chloroplast genome. We therefore tested whether a shift in selective constraint has occurred after loss of the trnK intron. Using previously unavailable sequences for several ferns, we compared matK sequences of the intron-less fern clade to sequences from seed plants and ferns with the intron and found no significant differences in selection among lineages using multiple methods. We conclude that matK in ferns has maintained its apparently ancient and generalized function in chloroplasts, even after the loss of its co-evolved group II intron. Finally, we also present primers that will allow amplification and nucleotide sequencing of the phylogenetically useful matK gene in additional fern taxa.
Semi-empirical model for radar backscatter from snow at 35 and 94 GHz

Radar backscatter experiments were conducted at 35 and 94 GHz to measure the response of snow-covered ground to snow depth, liquid water content and ice crystal size. The measurements included observations over a wide angular range extending between normal incidence and 60/spl deg/ for all linear polarization combinations. A numerical radiative transfer model was developed and adapted to fit the experimental observations. Next, the radiative transfer model was exercised for a wide range of conditions and the data that was generated was used to develop relatively simple semi-empirical expressions that relate the backscattering coefficient (for each linear polarization) to incidence angle, snow depth, crystal size, and liquid water content.
Using Global Sequence Similarity to Enhance Biological Sequence Labeling

Identifying functionally important sites from biological sequences, formulated as a biological sequence labeling problem, has broad applications ranging from rational drug design to the analysis of metabolic and signal transduction networks. In this paper, we present an approach to biological sequence labeling that takes into account the global similarity between biological sequences. Our approach combines unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. Given a set of sequences and a similarity measure defined on pairs of sequences, we learn a mixture of experts model by using spectral clustering to learn the hierarchical structure of the model and by using bayesian approaches to combine the predictions of the experts. We evaluate our approach on two important biological sequence labeling problems: RNA-protein and DNA-protein interface prediction problems. The results of our experiments show that global sequence similarity can be exploited to improve the performance of classifiers trained to label biological sequence data.
Models for Managing Contingency Construction Operations

A contingency is a crisis situation such as a national disaster, civil disorder, or military invasion that creates a major threat to the safety and security of a population. Essentially all contingencies require construction support that is generally mission critical and inherently challenging due to the dynamics and uncertainty with the availability of resources and the demands for the projects. This paper considers a military contingency for which all construction projects must be completed within a fixed time to achieve mission success. The effectiveness in accomplishing the construction mission is based on mission time reliability assessed using the probability of interference between load measured in the number of days required for the project, and the capacity which is taken as the available allotted resources. Two models are developed to assist in managing the allocation of resources for the construction operations; one based on conditions of moderate risk with randomly occurring repetitive loads, and the other a Markov chain model for high risk conditions. Examples are provided.
Conductive shape memory nanocomposites for high speed electrical actuation

A new shape memory nanocomposite that exhibits rapid electrical actuation capabilities is fabricated by incorporating continuous, non-woven carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into an epoxy based SMP matrix. The fiber morphology and nanometre size provide a percolating conductive network with a large interfacial area. This not only gives high electrical conductivity but also simultaneously enhances heat transfer and recovery stress.
Satellite loading tools using spreadsheets

A methodology is presented whereby one can easily develop a spreadsheet on a PC to perform a loading on a transponded satellite. The mathematics are given in simple terms and the techniques used in a spreadsheet are presented. One can easily develop a loading tool to cover the following cases: linear or hard limited transponder operation, jamming (either AWGN or constant envelope), calculation of intermodulation (IM) products, calculation of small signal suppression, effects of uplink and downlink rain, orthogonal and non-orthogonal spread waveforms etc. Techniques are presented that allow for the search of the maximum supportable jammer for a fully loaded transponder, the loading of the transponder for FDMA operation (with no jamming) and many other loading exercises.
Laboratory Procedures for Using Infrared Thermography to Validate Heat Transfer Models

Infrared (IR) imaging radiometers, which measure relative levels of thermal radiation energy, can be used for noninvasive surface temperature measurements of building thermal envelope components undergoing steady-state heat flow in laboratory thermal chambers. One advantage of IR measurement is that it provides large contiguous sets of surface temperature data which are useful for validating the accuracy of complex computer models that predict heat flow through thermally insulated systems. Because they give such detailed information about surface temperature, IR measurements complement hot-box measurements of heat flow. This paper recommends general procedures for reliable quantitative thermographic measurements in chambers operated for winter heating conditions. Actual surface temperature depends on heat flow, surface emittance, and environmental conditions such as air temperature, air flow field, and background thermal radiation. The infrared temperature measurements are affected by many of the same factors including surface emittance, air temperature, background thermal radiation, and air humidity. Equipment specifications for the absolute accuracy of infrared temperature measurements are typically ′1° to ′2°C. Measurements that use a temperature-controlled reference emitter to remove error appear to show accuracies of ′0.5°C for flat specimens with low temperature gradients.
TGF-β regulates Nox4, MnSOD and catalase expression, and IL-6 release in airway smooth muscle cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as a result of normal cellular metabolism, mainly through the mitochondria and peroxisomes, but their release is enhanced by the activation of oxidant enzymes such as NADPH oxidases or downregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), found to be overexpressed in airway smooth muscle (ASM) from asthmatic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, may be a pivotal regulator of abnormal ASM cell (ASMC) function in these diseases. An important effect of TGF-β on ASMC inflammatory responses is the induction of IL-6 release. TGF-β also triggers intracellular ROS release in ASMCs by upregulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4). However, the effect of TGF-β on the expression of key antioxidant enzymes and subsequently on oxidant/antioxidant balance is unknown. Moreover, the role of redox-dependent pathways in the mediation of the proinflammatory effects of TGF-β in ASMCs is unclear. In this study, we show that TGF-β induced the expression of Nox4 while at the same time inhibiting the expression of MnSOD and catalase. This change in oxidant/antioxidant enzymes was accompanied by elevated ROS levels and IL-6 release. Further studies revealed a role for Smad3 and phosphatidyl-inositol kinase-mediated pathways in the induction of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and IL-6 release. The changes in oxidant/antioxidant enzymes and IL-6 release were reversed by the antioxidants N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and ebselen through inhibition of Smad3 phosphorylation, indicating redox-dependent activation of Smad3 by TGF-β. Moreover, these findings suggest a potential role for NAC in preventing TGF-β-mediated pro-oxidant and proinflammatory responses in ASMCs. Knockdown of Nox4 using small interfering RNA partially prevented the inhibition of MnSOD but had no effect on catalase and IL-6 expression. These findings provide novel insights into redox regulation of ASM function by TGF-β.
Noisy Generalized Binary Search

This paper addresses the problem of noisy Generalized Binary Search (GBS). GBS is a well-known greedy algorithm for determining a binary-valued hypothesis through a sequence of strategically selected queries. At each step, a query is selected that most evenly splits the hypotheses under consideration into two disjoint subsets, a natural generalization of the idea underlying classic binary search. GBS is used in many applications, including fault testing, machine diagnostics, disease diagnosis, job scheduling, image processing, computer vision, and active learning. In most of these cases, the responses to queries can be noisy. Past work has provided a partial characterization of GBS, but existing noise-tolerant versions of GBS are suboptimal in terms of query complexity. This paper presents an optimal algorithm for noisy GBS and demonstrates its application to learning multidimensional threshold functions.
α-Latrotoxin action probed with recombinant toxin: receptors recruit α-latrotoxin but do not transduce an exocytotic signal

alpha-Latrotoxin stimulates neurotransmitter release probably by binding to two receptors, CIRL/latrophilin 1 (CL1) and neurexin Ialpha. We have now produced recombinant alpha-latrotoxin (LtxWT) that is as active as native alpha-latrotoxin in triggering synaptic release of glutamate, GABA and norepinephrine. We have also generated three alpha-latrotoxin mutants with substitutions in conserved cysteine residues, and a fourth mutant with a four-residue insertion. All four alpha-latrotoxin mutants were found to be unable to trigger release. Interestingly, the insertion mutant LtxN4C exhibited receptor-binding affinities identical to wild-type LtxWT, bound to CL1 and neurexin Ialpha as well as LtxWT, and similarly stimulated synaptic hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositolphosphates. Therefore, receptor binding by alpha-latrotoxin and stimulation of phospholipase C are insufficient to trigger exocytosis. This conclusion was confirmed in experiments with La3+ and Cd2+. La3+ blocked release triggered by LtxWT, whereas Cd2+ enhanced it. Both cations, however, had no effect on the stimulation by LtxWT of phosphatidylinositolphosphate hydrolysis. Our data show that receptor binding by alpha-latrotoxin and activation of phospholipase C do not by themselves trigger exocytosis. Thus receptors recruit alpha-latrotoxin to its point of action without activating exocytosis. Exocytosis probably requires an additional receptor-independent activity of alpha-latrotoxin that is selectively inhibited by the LtxN4C mutation and by La3+.
A missing-data approach to noise-robust LPC extraction for voiced speech using auxiliary sensors

Noise robust LPC extraction from the voiced speech signal is addressed with a missing-data approach. Harmonics in the voiced speech spectrum are detected using a general electromagnetic motion sensor (GEMS) that is immune to acoustic background noise. Non-harmonic frequencies are treated as missing-data and severely suppressed while no processing is done on the harmonic frequencies since they are assumed to have high SNR. Objective measure tests using the log likelihood ratio (LLR) show significant improvement over the noisy case for severely noisy environments.
Assessing RJSCs In High-Level Language Support

A reduced instruction set computer, RISC I, was compared to five traditional machines. It provided the highest performance with the smallest penalty for using high-level language.
Comparison of Methods for Viewing the Germinal Vesicle in Fish Oocytes

Abstract The ability to view the germinal vesicle following three treatment methods to clear opaque oocytes of nine species of fishes was compared. A mixture of ethanol, formalin, and glacial acetic acid (EFA) proved superior to a modified Stockard's solution and a dehydration series of ethanol followed by xylene. The EFA method worked well on oocytes of all species. The latter two methods were not as effective and required more time to clear oocytes. Oocytes of some species turned opaque soon after they were cleared by any of the methods, which limited the time period within which the germinal vesicle could be seen.
Initiative to improve thromboprophylactic enoxaparin exposure in hospitalized patients with renal impairment.

Purpose The impact of a quality-improvement (QI) initiative to decrease the risk of bleeding in renally impaired patients receiving enoxaparin prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) was evaluated. Methods A retrospective cohort with a before-and-after study design was employed. Inclusion criteria included age over 40 years, hospitalization exceeding six days, treatment with enoxaparin or unfractionated heparin (UFH), and acute or chronic renal insufficiency. Major bleeding included fatal bleeding, symptomatic bleeding requiring hemodynamic support or causing a decrease of 2 g/dL or more in hemoglobin concentration, or bleeding leading to the transfusion of at least 2 units of packed red blood cells. The QI intervention restricted enoxaparin use in patients with a creatinine clearance (CL cr ) concentration of Results The rate of major bleeding in the preintervention group was 13.5% with enoxaparin compared with 4.1% with UFH ( p = 0.005). The relative risk (RR) of bleeding with enoxaparin compared with UFH was 3.21 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–7.34). In patients with a CL cr concentration of p = 0.15). The RR of bleeding in the postintervention period was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.37–1.12). Conclusion A QI initiative that eliminated the use of enoxaparin for prophylaxis of VTE in patients with renal impairment resulted in lower rates of major bleeding associated with pharmacologic prophylaxis. No differences in the rate of inhospital VTE as a result of the intervention were observed.
The Moral Foreign-Language Effect

Many have argued that moral judgment is driven by one of two types of processes. Rationalists argue that reasoned processes are the source of moral judgments, whereas sentimentalists argue that emotional processes are. We provide evidence that both positions are mistaken; there are multiple mental processes involved in moral judgment, and it is possible to manipulate which process is engaged when considering moral dilemmas by presenting them in a non-native language. The Foreign-Language Effect (FLE) is the activation of systematic reasoning processes by thinking in a foreign language. We demonstrate that the FLE extends to moral judgment. This indicates that different types of processes can lead to the formation of differing moral judgments. One implication of the FLE is that it raises the possibility that moral judgments can be made more systematic, and that the type of processing used to form them might be relevant to normative and applied ethics.
Identifying genes that regulate bone remodeling as potential therapeutic targets

Bone remodeling, a coupled process involving bone resorption and formation, is initiated by mechanical signals and is controlled by local and systemic factors that regulate osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and function. An excess of resorption over formation leads to the bone loss and increased propensity to fracture that is characteristic of osteoporosis. A newly described inhibitor of osteoblast differentiation, Ciz, interferes with bone morphogenic protein signaling. As a consequence, Ciz-deficient mice develop increased bone mass.
A working system for social service delivery

The design of a system to provide for delivery of social services to clients and accountability to the state is presented. An introduction to actual systems problems in social services delivery is provided together with the human interaction processes necessary to bring successfully the systems approach to social service delivery. An analysis of case histories has been accomplished to determine common characteristics among actual cases which leads to a classification system for multiproblem families relative to family functioning. A detailed description of the system and the flow diagrams of information, decision, and activity (IDA) points is given. The system is in and working in Lynchburg, Va. and is to be installed and completed in Chesapeake, Va., by the end of 1974. Typical displays of the information system outputs as provided to case workers and supervisors are shown.
Raising Cain: A Novel

approved: ______________________________________________________ Gilad Elbom A Confederate soldier turned cowboy, fresh off the front lines of the Civil War, Cain Bradshaw is a hard man who keeps to himself, content to work the cattle train and bury himself in the oblivion offered by the wilds of the scarcely tamed West. But when dumb chance and a lucky shot bring him to the attention of the local law, Cain finds himself in the employ of a different kind of war, picking up the badge of U.S. Territory Marshal with a weary reluctance. After a routine hunt for a fugitive goes south, leaving him for dead in the Arizona badlands, Cain is rescued by the infamous Apache outlaw, Coyote, and his curious band of public enemies. As he becomes entangled in the chaos and danger, violence and risky games that follow in the Indian’s wake, the defrocked Marshal soon finds himself ensnared by an altogether more dangerous game: a forbidden attraction to the man himself.