cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spring mudflows at Wrightwood, Southern California

Summary The Wrightwood area in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California is known as a site of recurring mudflow activity. The community of Wrightwood is built on the coalesced fans of Sheep, Acorn and Heath Creeks, and the fan deposits are probably chiefly of mudflow origin. Historically, mudflows there have been observed in association with three climatic conditions: (1) short period of high-intensity rainfall during the summer dry season (thunderstorms); (2) periods of heavy rainfall during the October-March winter season, when most of the year9s rain and snow fall; and (3) thaw of the winter snow pack. The mudflow activity associated with heavy rainfall has generally been of only a few hours or at most a few days duration. Mudflow activity associated with spring thaw has been of longer duration, as much as several weeks. At various times in the past, mudflows generated by all three conditions have inundated homes and highways in the Wrightwood area, which is now defended by a flood control levee system. During May and June, 1969 the rapid melting of a heavy snow pack resulted in a 40-day period of mudflow activity in Heath Creek. All flows originated in the steep upper reaches of Heath Creek, where steep ravines are incised in the toe of a large active landslide. Direct observation by the authors showed that flows formed when small masses of debris fell or slid from the surface of the landslide mass into the steep channel. Some of the masses were fluid enough to continue downstream without interruption; others stopped in the channel until remobilized by added melt water or the passage of a mudflow from a higher altitude. Both processes resulted in discrete ‘slugs’ which continued down the steep ravine, through an allu-viated canyon, to a fan where most of the debris was deposited. The activity may be described as a spring mudflow cycle, within which three stages were observed in a gradational sequence. A waxing stage began with sporadic short-duration mudflows, during which the lower alluviated canyon floor of Heath Creek was aggraded. A climactic stage of larger mudflows at more frequent intervals and of longer duration was characterized by the incision of a single, narrow, U-shaped channel in the alluviated canyon floor, and transportation of debris as much as 2 miles (3.2 km) from the source. A waning stage followed as meltwater supply decreased; short-duration flows backfilled the U-shaped channel and spilled over the banks, again aggrading the alluviated canyon floor.
Mutations of the slow muscle α-tropomyosin gene, TPM3, are a rare cause of nemaline myopathy

The α-tropomyosin-3 (TPM3) gene was screened in 40 unrelated patients with nemaline myopathy (NM). A single compound heterozygous patient was identified carrying one mutation that converts the stop codon to a serine and a second splicing mutation that is predicted to prevent inclusion of skeletal muscle exon IX. TPM3 mutations are a rare cause of NM, probably accounting for less than 3% of cases. The severity of cases with TPM3 mutations may vary from severe infantile to late childhood onset, slowly progressive forms.
Effects of graded duration of stretch on normal and dystrophic skeletal muscle

Daily passive stretch for six weeks ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours per day was studied in the patagialis (PAT) muscle of normal and dystrophic chickens. Significant increases in wet weight, cross-sectional area, and mean fiber cross-sectional area occurred in both normal and dystrophic PAT in response to stretch of all daily durations tested. More than 50% of the growth occurring in response to continuous stretch was elicited by as little as 30 minutes of stretch per day. Oxidative enzyme capacity increased proportionately with increasing durations of stretch in the normal PAT. Similarly, increasing duration of stretch progressively retarded the onset of histopathological signs in the dystrophic PAT. We conclude that daily stretching for as little as 30 minutes per day is a powerful inducer of growth in normal and dystrophic muscle and that the progress of the histopathology in dystrophic muscle is delayed in proportion to the daily duration of stretch.
Processing speed and neurodevelopment in adolescent-onset psychosis: cognitive slowing predicts social function.

Onset of psychosis may be associated with abnormal adolescent neurodevelopment. Here we examined the neurocognitive profile of first-episode, adolescent onset psychosis (AOP) as compared to typically developing adolescents, and asked whether neurocognitive performance varied differentially as a function of age in the cases compared with controls. A comprehensive neuropsychological battery was administered to 35 patients experiencing a first-episode of a DSM-IV psychotic disorder and to 31 matched controls. Clinicians also rated subjects’ social and role functioning, both at the time of neuropsychological assessment and 1 year later. Although patients displayed a wide range of impairments relative to controls, their most pronounced deficits included verbal memory, sensorimotor dexterity and cognitive processing speed. Among these, only processing speed showed a significant group-by-age interaction, consistent with an aberrant developmental course among AOP patients. Processing speed also accounted for substantial variance in other areas of deficit, and predicted social functioning 1 year later. AOP patients fail to show normal age-related increases in processing speed, which in turn predicts poorer functional outcomes. This pattern is consistent with the view that adolescent brain developmental processes, such as myelination, may be disrupted in these patients.
Enhanced robust stability analysis of large hydraulic control systems via a bifurcation-based procedure

Abstract Because of their size and complexity, the initial design of many hydraulic systems is based primarily on steady state models. Nonlinear system dynamic characteristics are normally checked by simulation and/or prototype testing of the final design configuration, but even at this stage only the nominal system design and a limited number of other possible systems can be analyzed due to the excessive cost of each system analysis. Exhaustive parametric studies that verify the performance and stability of all possible systems are generally not practical. The deficiency associated with this analysis limitation is that hydraulic control systems that are predicted to be stable sometimes exhibit nonlinear pressure oscillations of unacceptably large magnitude. This paper documents the development and demonstration of a bifurcation-based analysis procedure that focuses on potential modes of oscillation rather than on analyzing all possible systems to yield a “practically rigorous” robust stability analysis of large nonlinear systems. Additional contributions of this research include: (1) proposed solutions to the main issues that complicate the robust stability analysis of large nonlinear systems, (2) demonstration of the use of the results from a bifurcation analysis to inform and enable an efficient nonlinear analysis, and (3) a detailed description of the possible nonlinear responses for a large automatic transmission hydraulic system with a 9-dimensional state space and a 24-dimensional parameter space.
Structural characterization of a six-nucleotide RNA hairpin loop found in Escherichia coli, r(UUAAGU).

The binding region of the Escherichia coli S2 ribosomal protein contains a conserved UUAAGU hairpin loop. The structure of the hairpin formed by the oligomer r(GCGU4U5A6A7G8U9CGCA), which has an r(UUAAGU) hairpin loop, was determined by NMR and molecular modeling techniques as part of a study aimed at characterizing the structure and thermodynamics of RNA hairpin loops. Thermodynamic data obtained from melting curves for this RNA oligomer show that it forms a hairpin in solution with the following parameters: ΔH° = −42.8 ± 2.2 kcal/mol, ΔS° = −127.6 ± 6.5 eu, and ΔG°37 = −3.3 ± 0.2 kcal/mol. Two-dimensional NOESY WATERGATE spectra show an NOE between U imino protons, which suggests that U4 and U9 form a hydrogen bonded U·U pair. The U5(H2‘) proton shows NOEs to both the A6(H8) proton and the A7(H8) proton, which is consistent with formation of a “U” turn between nucleotides U5 and A6. An NOE between the A7(H2) proton and the U9(H4‘) proton shows the proximity of the A7 base to the U9 sugar, which is cons...
N-Terminal Protein Modification Using Simple Aminoacyl Transferase Substrates

Methods for synthetically manipulating protein structure enable greater flexibility in the study of protein function. Previous characterization of the Escherichia coli aminoacyl tRNA transferase (AaT) has shown that it can modify the N-terminus of a protein with an amino acid from a tRNA or a synthetic oligonucleotide donor. Here, we demonstrate that AaT can efficiently use a minimal adenosine substrate, which can be synthesized in one to two steps from readily available starting materials. We have characterized the enzymatic activity of AaT with aminoacyl adenosyl donors and found that reaction products do not inhibit AaT. The use of adenosyl donors removes the substrate limitations imposed by the use of synthetases for tRNA charging and avoids the complex synthesis of an oligonucleotide donor. Thus, our AaT donors increase the potential substrate scope and reaction scale for N-terminal protein modification under conditions that maintain folding.
Conformational mobility of immobilized proteins.

Cellular membrane fragments have been immobilized on the surface of a silica-based liquid chromatographic support and on the surface of glass capillaries to create immobilized receptor and drug transporter columns. These columns have included phases containing one subtype of the nicotinic receptor (α3β2, α3β4, α4β2, α4β4) and the P-glycoprotein transporter. A key question in the application of these columns to drug discovery and development is the ability of the immobilized receptor or transporter to undergo ligand and/or co-factor induced conformational changes. Using frontal affinity chromatographic techniques and non-linear chromatographic techniques it has been demonstrated that the immobilized nicotinic receptors undergo agonist-induced conformational shifts from the resting to desensitized states with corresponding changes in binding affinities and enantioselectivities. Ligand-induced allosteric interactions and ATP-driven conformational changes have also been demonstrated with the immobilized Pgp stationary phase. The results demonstrate that the immobilized proteins retained their ability to undergo conformational mobility and that this is an attractive alternative to allow for the full characterization of multiple protein conformations.
Design and characterization of an aspherical zoom lens for projection TV

By using aspherical lens design is one of the keys to reduce the size and weight for a compact lens applied in Projection TV. The other approach is to use plastic lenses instead of glass lenses to reduce weight and cost. In this work, we describe the optical design of projection zoom objective by using aspherical surface and plastic-glass hybrid lens sets. Our aspherical design can significantly reduce dimensional scale 30% off comparing with spherical design. We also calculate the compensation of focus shift owing to the changes of temperature and humidity for plastic lenses. Results of this work and other questions raised by this attempt will be discussed in this paper.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recent Results on the Measurement of Fragmentation Functions in e + e - Annihilation

The precise knowledge of fragmentation functions is needed to extract information about nucleon structure from semi-inclusive measurements. They themselves are also important objects to study the properties of nonperturbative QCD. This contribution will summarize recent results from measurements at the B-factories Belle and BaBar.
Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase: Structural Comparisons of Membrane-Bound Versus Soluble Forms from Adrenal Medulla and Pheochromocytoma

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in membrane-bound (mDBH) and water-soluble (sDBH) forms was isolated from chromaffin granules of bovine adrenal medullae and a human pheochromocytoma tumor. sDBH was purified by concanavalin A-agarose column chromatography followed by DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography. The final bovine preparation had a specific activity of 16.27 IU/mg; the human preparation had a specific activity of 9.16 IU/mg. mDBH was isolated in enzymatically inactive form by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The proteins were subjected to amino acid analysis, as well as digestion with trypsin, followed by separation of the resulting peptides by two-dimensional TLC/electrophoresis. No intraspecies differences between sDBH and mDBH were found from comparisons of amino acid composition or peptide maps. Thus the basis of the difference between sDBH and mDBH cannot easily be explained by differences in primary structure, within the resolution of these techniques.
Progesterone pretreatment enhances cellular sensitivity to cadmium despite a marked activation of the metallothionein gene

Previously, we found that in vivo pretreatment with progesterone markedly increased cadmium lethality in rats, apparently by enhancing cadmium-induced hepatonecrosis. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate this phenomenon at the molecular level in an in vitro system. TRL-1215 rat liver cells were exposed to various concentrations of progesterone (0, 1, 10, and 100 microM) for 24 hr and subsequently exposed to cadmium (0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 microM; as CdCl2) for an additional 24 hr. Although the levels of progesterone used were essentially nontoxic, progesterone pretreatment resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in sensitivity to cadmium as assessed by loss of mitochondrial enzyme activity (tetrazolium-based dye assay) and loss of cytosolic enzyme activity (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase). The effects of progesterone treatment on intracellular levels of metallothionein (MT), an inducible metal-binding protein generally associated with cadmium tolerance, were also measured. Progesterone (100 microM) alone increased MT levels 2.4-fold, while cadmium (10 microM) alone resulted in a 7-fold increase over control. Progesterone pretreatment followed by cadmium exposure caused a marked, 16-fold induction in MT synthesis, a level of activity that has been associated with acquired tolerance to cadmium. In addition, progesterone pretreatment clearly induced transcription of the MT gene as evidenced by enhanced cadmium-induced accumulation of cellular MT mRNA. Progesterone pretreatment had no effect on the level of glutathione, a cellular thiol thought to be important in detoxication of cadmium prior to MT gene activation and MT protein accumulation, or on cellular accumulation of cadmium during the initial 3 hr of exposure to the metal. The proportion of total cellular cadmium bound to MT in cells pretreated with progesterone was greater than that in the cells treated with cadmium alone, indicating an enhanced sequestration of the metal by MT after pretreatment. These results indicate that progesterone, at nontoxic levels, markedly exacerbates cadmium toxicity at the cellular level in liver cells. This is in accord with the observed progesterone-induced enhancement of the hepatotoxic effects of cadmium in vivo. The observed facilitation of cytotoxicity is not based in altered toxicokinetics of cadmium and occurs despite a pronounced activation of the MT gene resulting in an enhanced sequestration of cadmium by MT. The mechanism by which progesterone enhances cadmium toxicity deserves further study.
Two new tryptophane metabolites of the American cockroach.

Abstract In the course of attempts to isolate and characterize the ‘nesting’ or aggregation pheromone of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana , two metabolites of tryptophane have been identified. These are oxindole and hydrocarbostyril. That these were indeed tryptophane metabolites was demonstrated by administering radiolabelled tryptophane to cockroaches following tetracycline treatment and isolating the radioactive metabolites.
Miniature flat panels in rotary wing head-mounted displays

A number of programs are attempting to validate the advantages and disadvantages of miniature flat panel displays compared to CRTs for use in rotary wing helmet mounted displays. This paper will explore the unique requirements of rotary wing helmet mounted displays and will assess the applicability of miniature flat panel displays for meeting these requirements. Remaining technical challenges will be discussed and potential solutions identified.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gamma-Ray Pulsars Old and New

A flood of results from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, launched on 11 June 2008, is changing the way that we view neutron stars. The Large Area Telescope (LAT), the main instrument on Fermi, detects photons of energy between 0.1 and 100 GeV emitted from spinning neutron stars known as radio pulsars, from supermassive black holes in the “blazar” class of active galactic nuclei, and from other high-energy sources. By timing the arrival of photons from gamma ray–bright points in the Galaxy, Fermi is discovering new pulsars whose existence was only conjectured. Sixteen such “gamma ray–only” pulsars, rotating between 2 and 20 times per second, are reported on page 840 in this issue ( 1 ). In a companion paper on page 848, the detection of pulsed gamma rays from eight nearby radio “millisecond pulsars” rotating faster than 200 times per second is described ( 2 ). Complementing these discoveries, Fermi has detected a steady glow of gamma rays from the globular star cluster 47 Tucanae, as described on page 845 ( 3 ); this region is thought to harbor dozens of millisecond pulsars.
The genetics and complexity of allergy and asthma

Abstract Why do common diseases such as allergy and asthma have complex patterns of inheritance while other, relatively uncommon diseases approximate simple Mendelian traits? There is good evidence that the dysfunctioning of highly involved, interactive genetic networks is implicated in most complex diseases. Here, Kathleen Barnes and David Marsh review recent studies of asthma, which provide a good model for illustrating this point.
Injecting RBAC to secure a Web-based workflow system

Web-based workflow systems have recently received much attention because they can support dynamic business processes over heterogeneous computing systems. Most existing web-based workflow systems, however, provide minimal security services such as authentication of users and network security. In this paper we describes an experiment in injecting role-based access control (RBAC) into an existing web-based workflow system. Specifically, we ensure that each task can only be executed by users belonging to a specific role. In order to achieve this, we define a simplified RBAC model to meet our needs and describe the security architecture to be applied to an existing web-based workflow system. We describe our implementation using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. Our implementation uses X.509v3 certificates with role attribute, and employs a user-pull style where the client requests a client certificate from the role-server and presents it to the workflow system. A major goal of our implementation is to have minimal changes to the existing web server and no changes to the browser. We also discuss alternative architecture such as server-pull with LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).
Gravitational and tectonic stresses in anisotropic rock with irregular topography

Abstract An analytical method is presented to predict stresses in rock masses with smooth and irregular topographies formed by the superposition of multiple long and symmetric ridges and valleys. The rock masses are subject to gravity, uniaxial tectonic horizontal compression or tension acting normal to the ridge and valley axis, or to combined gravitational and tectonic loadings. The method can be applied to ridges and valleys of realistic shape, in generally anisotropic, orthotropic, transversely isotropic, or nearly isotropic rock masses. Numerical examples are presented to show the nature of the in situ stress field in transversely isotropic rock masses with different symmetric and asymmetric topographies under gravitational loading, uniaxial tectonic horizontal loading, or combined gravitational and tectonic loading. Under gravity alone, it is shown that non-zero horizontal compressive stresses exceeding the vertical stress develop at and near ridge crests, and that horizontal tensile stresses develop under isolated valleys. Addition of a horizontal uniaxial compression to gravity increases slightly the horizontal compression at the crest of ridges and diminishes the horizontal tension in valley bottoms. Addition of the horizontal tectonic stress has little effect on the magnitude of the vertical stress.
Relationships of Assertiveness, Depression, and Social Support Among Older Nursing Home Residents:

This study assessed the relationships of assertiveness, depression, and social support among nursing home residents. The sample included 50 older nursing home residents (mean age = 75 years; 75% female; 92% Caucasian). There was a significant correlation between assertiveness and depression (r = -.33), but the correlations between social support and depression (r = -.15) and between social support and assertiveness (r = -.03) were small and nonsignificant. The correlation between overall physical health (a subjective self-rating) and depression was strong and negative (r = -.50), with lower levels of health associated with higher depression. An implication of this study is that an intervention for depression among nursing home residents that is targeted at increasing assertiveness and bolstering health status may be more effective than the one that solely targets social support.
THE MULTIPLE PIGMENT‐PROTEINS OF THE PHOTOSYSTEM I ANTENNA*

A photosystem I (PS I) holocomplex was obtained from barley by ultracentrifugation of PS I-enriched stroma lamellae on sucrose gradients. Further solubilization with glycosidic surfactants followed by Deriphat-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) fractionated the holocomplex into its core complex (CC I) and individual light-harvesting I (LHC I) pigment-protein subcomplexes. The LHC I containschlorophyll a, all of the chlorophyll b of PS I and xanthophylls but no carotenes
Determination of the rate and volume of leakage using the slopes of time-drawdown data

Quantification of leakage is very important in the selection and design of the remediation systems of leaky aquifers that receive contaminated leakage. This is an approach for the calculation of leakage using only two slopes of time-drawdown data. These slopes represent before and after the start of leakage, and are applied to four examples. Results generally agree with those determined by the Hantush approach. Comparison of the two approaches, however, shows that the Hantush approach quantifies leakage using three aquifer parameters (transmissivity, storativity, and leakage factor), the value of which depend on the pumping test method used; it assumes constant hydraulic head in the aquifer supplying leakage, which may not be valid under field conditions; and it ignores differences between the viscosities of the leakage water and the aquifer water, which influence the leakage rate. The proposed approach is free from all three limitations.
Taxa, life, and thinking

He who understands baboonwould do more toward metaphysics than Locke.Charles Darwin, August 16, 1838I shall answer the commentaries by proceeding from strictly philosophical matters to biology, to psychology, and then to politics and the social sciences.
Quantitative Measurement of Dissection Resistance in Intimal and Medial Layers of Human Coronary Arteries

The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery is the most frequently involved vessel in coronary artery dissection, a cause of acute coronary syndrome or sudden cardiac death. The biomechanical mechanisms underlying arterial dissection are not well understood. This study investigated the dissection properties of LAD specimens harvested from explanted hearts at the time of cardiac transplantation, from patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 12). Using a previously validated approach uniquely modified for these human LAD specimens, we quantified the local energy release rate, G, within different arterial layers during experimental dissection events (tissue tearing). Results show that the mean values of G during arterial dissection within the intima and within the media in human LADs are 20.7 ± 16.5 J/m2 and 10.3 ± 5.0 J/m2, respectively. The difference in dissection resistance between tearing events occurring within the intima and within the media is statistically significant. Our data fall in the same order of magnitude as most previous measurements of adhesive strength in other human arteries, with the differences in measured values of G within the layers most likely due to histologically observed differences in the structure and composition of arterial layers.
How Navigational Aids Impair Spatial Memory: Evidence for Divided Attention

Abstract Research has demonstrated navigational aids impair spatial memory, but has not considered important spatial cognitive concepts. For example, impairment may stem from spatial perspective switches between route-based aids and survey-based memory assessments. Further, the verbal format of aid instructions may selectively interfere with verbal working memory (VWM). To address these potential explanations, participants navigated desktop virtual environments in a goal-directed manner. In each within-participants condition, participants either navigated with a verbal or tonal aid that presented mixed spatial perspective instructions or without aid. Both aids yielded slight navigational advantages and steep spatial memory costs despite their mixed perspective instructions. The equivalent impairment between information formats suggests navigational aids impair spatial memory by dividing attention rather than selective interference of VWM.
Experimental pulmonary candidiasis

The initial interaction of Candida albicans with pulmonary tissue of B6D2/F1 mice was investigated. The LD50 for mice challenged intravenously (IV) was approximately 3 × 105 yeasts, whereas the LD50 by the intratracheal (IT) route was in excess of 108 yeasts. Mice challenged IV died of progressive yeast growth in the kidneys. In contrast, mice challenged IT rapidly eliminated the entire inoculum by the first day after challenge. Resident pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) killed upwards of 70% of C. albicans in an in vitro killing assay. At effector: target ratios favoring the effector cell population resident PAM were able to restrict the formation of yeast germ tubes to only 30% of the yeasts, whereas at equivalent ratios virtually all of the intracellular yeasts produced germ tubes. Evaluation of the ability of PAM, harvested from genetically different strains of inbred mice, to kill C. albicans in vitro showed that killing ability was a property of resident PAM from mice with the black 6 background. It was discovered that during the initial stages of infection in vivo, the expression of the F4/80 surface molecule was down regulated, and the expression of the Mac 1 surface molecule upregulated. There were no quantitative changes in expression of either Mac 2, Mac 3, Ly 5 or the 5C6 surface epitopes. Taken together, the data show that pulmonary tissue is quantitatively very resistant to C. albicans infection, because of the ability of resident PAM to rapidly phagocytize and kill yeasts. Killing of C. albicans by resident PAM may be a property of a subset of this mononuclear phagocyte population and was accompanied by alterations in the expression of surface molecules.
There Was A Country: Achebe’s Final Work

Even at a perfunctory level, a comparative look at the conflicts that took place in the US between the Union and the Confederacy and the one between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra in 1966–1970 ...
Ultrasonographic measurement of crown‐rump length in high‐order multifetal pregnancies

The objective of the study was to evaluate the crown-rump length (CRL) in high-order multifetal pregnancies (three or more fetuses). The records of patients who underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction were reviewed. The following parameters were defined: the mean CRL (CRLMEAN) and the difference between the largest and smallest CRL (CRLRANGE) for each pregnancy. CRLMEAN was plotted versus gestational age (GA) and the line of best fit was derived. The residual for each CRL (CRLRES) was calculated by subtracting the value predicted by the regression line from the individual CRL (CRLIND). Regression lines for single-tons with confirmed GA from four previously reported studies were used for comparison. A total of 82 patients were included (29 triplets, 38 quadruplets and 15 quintuplets; mean GA 10.7 +/- 0.78 weeks). CRLMEAN correlated with GA (CRLMEAN = 38.88 - 8.78(GA) + 0.82(GA)2; R = 0.83; R2 = 0.70). This second-degree polynomial remained within the range for singletons. No significant differences in maternal age, GA and CRLMEAN were noted between the patients with different numbers of fetuses. The median CRLRANGE was largest in quintuplets, followed by quadruplets and triplets. The CRLRANGE correlated poorly with GA. The mean CRL in multifetal pregnancies increases with GA similarly to that in singletons. The variability of individual measurements increases with the number of fetuses and CRLs are lower in quintuplets.
Inclusion of Pauli principle constraints in equations of motion methods for the nuclear many-body problem

The effort to isolate and study the dominant collective modes of a nuclear many-body system by generalized equations-of-motion methods (algebraic methods) confronts the inherent difficulty that such modes are correlated with each other and with noncollective modes by kinematic constraints traceable to the Pauli principle. This problem has previously been solved for simplified nuclear models. A solution is proposed for the general shell model problem of a number of interacting levels.
Officer Race and Citizen-Reported Traffic Ticket Decisions by Police in 1999 and 2002

Does officer race affect the frequency with which citizens report receiving a ticket for a traffic law violation? According to citizens, is the effect of officer race on traffic tickets the same in 1999 and 2002 despite the increased attention given what has come to be called driving while Black? The present research answers these questions using citizen reports of their traffic stop encounters with police in 1999 and 2002. Net of important control variables, citizens report changes in the ways officer race affects traffic ticket decisions, most notably when viewed through the lens of intersections of officer race and driver race and ethnicity. Specifically, citizens report that Black police officers are less likely to ticket Black traffic law violators in 2002 than in 1999. In important contrast, White police officers are more likely to ticket all drivers of color in both 1999 and 2002.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE UVRA GENE

Abstract The uvrA gene of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) was cloned and sequenced. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed 81% identity and 90% similarity with the Escherichia coli UvrA protein. Consistent with a role of Hi uvrA in DNA repair, a Hi uvrA mutant exhibited increased sensitivity of UV irradiation. Furthermore, Hi uvrA was able to complement a mutation in the E. coli uvrA locus.
Squeezed signature analysis hyperspectral classification

The Squeezed Signature Analysis (SSA) hyperspectral classification method is presented as a fast method to compare the target spectral signature to all the signatures in the spectral library. This discussion includes the possible use of this technique on-board a hypothetical remote sensing system that could take advantage of parallel computations.
Endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic therapy is recommended as the first-line therapy for painful chronic pancreatitis with an obstacle on the main pancreatic duct (MPD). The clinical response should be evaluated at 6 to 8 weeks. Calcified stones that obstruct the MPD are first treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy; dominant MPD strictures are optimally treated with a single, large, plastic stent that should be exchanged within 1 year even in asymptomatic patients. Pancreatic pseudocysts for which therapy is indicated and are within endoscopic reach should be treated by endoscopy.
Numerical studies of the nonlinear properties of composites.

Using both numerical and analytical techniques, we investigate various ways to enhance the cubic nonlinear susceptibility ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{e}}$ of a composite material. We start from the exact relation ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{e}}$ =${\mathit{tsum}}_{\mathit{i}}$${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{i}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{i}}$〈(E\ensuremath{\cdot}E${)}^{2}$${\mathrm{〉}}_{\mathit{i},\mathrm{l}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}}$/ ${\mathit{E}}_{0}^{4}$, where ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{i}}$ and ${\mathit{p}}_{\mathit{i}}$ are the cubic nonlinear susceptibility and volume fraction of the ith component, ${\mathit{E}}_{0}$ is the applied electric field, and 〈${\mathit{E}}^{4}$${\mathrm{〉}}_{\mathit{i},\mathrm{l}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}}$ is the expectation value of the electric field in the ith component, calculated in the linear limit where ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{i}}$=0. In our numerical work, we represent the composite by a random resistor or impedance network, calculating the electric-field distributions by a generalized transfer-matrix algorithm. Under certain conditions, we find that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{e}}$ is greatly enhanced near the percolation threshold. We also find a large enhancement for a linear fractal in a nonlinear host. In a random Drude metal-insulator composite ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{e}}$ is hugely enhanced especially near frequencies which correspond to the surface-plasmon resonance spectrum of the composite. At zero frequency, the random composite results are reasonably well described by a nonlinear effective-medium approximation. The finite-frequency enhancement shows very strong reproducible structure which is nearly undetectable in the linear response of the composite, and which may possibly be described by a generalized nonlinear effective-medium approximation. The fractal results agree qualitatively with a nonlinear differential effective-medium approximation. Finally, we consider a suspension of coated spheres embedded in a host. If the coating is nonlinear, we show that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathit{e}}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{\mathrm{coat}}$\ensuremath{\gg}1 near the surface-plasmon resonance frequency of the core particle.
After long-term decline, are aspen recovering in northern Yellowstone?

Abstract In northern Yellowstone National Park, quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) stands were dying out in the late 20th century following decades of intensive browsing by Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus elaphus ). In 1995–1996 gray wolves ( Canis lupus ) were reintroduced, joining bears ( Ursus spp.) and cougars ( Puma concolor ) to complete the guild of large carnivores that prey on elk. This was followed by a marked decline in elk density and change in elk distribution during the years 1997–2012, due in part to increased predation. We hypothesized that these changes would result in less browsing and an increase in height of young aspen. In 2012, we sampled 87 randomly selected stands in northern Yellowstone, and compared our data to baseline measurements from 1997 and 1998. Browsing rates (the percentage of leaders browsed annually) in 1997–1998 were consistently high, averaging 88%, and only 1% of young aspen in sample plots were taller than 100 cm; none were taller than 200 cm. In 2012, browsing rates were much lower at 44%, and young aspen were taller on average with 34% >100 cm and 5% >200 cm. Most (62%) of the variation in height of young aspen in 2012 was explained by browsing intensity. Furthermore, in 2012, 25% of stands had at least five aspen saplings tall enough to escape elk browsing (⩾200 cm spring height), a condition that has not occurred for decades and happened despite a recent drought. Sapling recruitment did not increase until browsing decreased, following substantial changes in elk density and distribution, and was not significantly related to stand productivity or climate fluctuations. These results suggest that large carnivore restoration, through effects on prey, may aid aspen recovery where aspen have been suppressed by elk.
Avoiding experiences: sexual dysfunction in women with a history of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence

Women with a history of sexual abuse during childhood/adolescence experience a high rate of sexual dysfunction. Evidence also suggests that they often use avoidant coping strategies, such as substance abuse, dissociation, and emotional suppression, which are likely factors implicated with their psychopathology. There is a dearth of information on potential psychological mechanisms affecting the sexuality of these women. Therefore, it is relevant to investigate whether avoidance, an important cognitive mechanism associated with anxiety disorders, relates to sexual functioning in this population. In this study, participants with (N = 34) and without (N = 22) a history of sexual abuse prior to age 16 years completed questionnaires on severity of sexual abuse, sexual functioning, and a tendency to avoid experiences. A three-step hierarchical regression investigated the effects of childhood/adolescent sexual abuse and avoidance tendencies on different aspects of sexual functioning. A significant interaction between childhood/adolescent sexual abuse and avoidance tendencies was found for orgasm function, with the combination of sexual abuse and avoidance tendencies explaining lower orgasm function. These findings suggest that, for women with a history of early sexual abuse, the tendency to avoid interpersonal closeness and avoid emotional involvement predicts orgasm functioning.
Metal behavior at extreme loading rates

Abstract At extreme loading rates some metals exhibit behavior that is characteristic of a thermodynamically open system. This openness results from a rapid movement of dislocations carrying energy between distant material points. In such instances, metals form organized meso-structures such as dislocation cells and/or coarse slip bands. With an average dislocation velocity approaching critical velocity, the material experiences a mesoscale dynamic excitation that in turn causes further rearrangement of the material’s microstructure. It is shown that voids play a stabilizing role in metals. The analysis suggests that void nucleation and growth impedes the process of defect (dislocation) selforganization.
Reactivation of serum neutralized influenza virus and failure of its use in primary isolation.

Summary1. Inactivated viruses of 4 strains of influenza A and 2 strains of influenza B reactivated serum neutralized homologous virus with an increase in titer of 100 fold or more. The reaction is serologically strain specific. 2. The degree of reactivation is dependent on time of addition of inactivated virus to active virus-antiserum mixture. The threshold time after which reactivation could not be noted was about 8 hours for A/Va/1/53 and about 3 hours for B/Lee. 3. Addition of concentrated, heat-inactivated virus to samples from throats of persons ill with influenza-like illness during an influenza epidemic failed to increase the number of influenza virus isolations over the usual method.
Estrogen Action in the Mouse Uterus: Characterization of the Cytosol and Nuclear Receptor Systems

Cytosol receptor binding of 17β-estradiol in the mouse uterus was demonstrated in immature, ovariectomized, and intact animals. Quantification of specific binding by protamine sulfate precipitation was approximately 0.70 pmol estradiol bound/mg cytosol protein for all of the groups studied. Nuclear binding levels, assessed by the nuclear exchange assay, were 0.11–0.15 pmol/100 μg DNA. Stability of the nuclear receptorestradiol complex was evaluated at 25, 30, and 37 C and was found to be inversely related to the incubation temperature. Linearity of the binding assays was demonstrated for cytosol and nuclear receptors compared to milligrams of cytosol protein or micrograms of DNA, respectively. The mouse uterine cytosol receptor-estradiol interaction was shown to be second order by association rate analysis (k1 = 2.0 × 105 M-1 sec-1). Dissociation of estradiol from the receptor complex (k-1) appeared to be first order, with a constant of 2.3 × 10-5 sec-1. Sucrose gradients performed in low salt buffer (10 ...
Multi-mission simulation and visualization for real-time telemetry display, playback and EdL event reconstruction

he Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) Reconstruction Task has developed a software system that provides mission operations personnel and analysts with a real time telemetry-based live display, playback and post-EDL reconstruction capability that leverages the existing high-fidelity, physics-based simulation framework and modern game engine-derived 3D visualization system developed in the JPL Dynamics and Real Time Simulation (DARTS) Lab. Developed as a multi-mission solution, the EDL Telemetry Visualization (ETV) system has been used for a variety of projects including NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), NASA'S Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) and JPL's MoonRise Lunar sample return proposal.
Polyimide Nanocomposites Prepared with a Novel Aromatic Surfactant

Montmorillonite clays modified with 1,5-bis(3-aminophenoxy)-3-oxapentane dihydrochloride (BAOD) were used in the preparation of polyimide/organoclay hybrid films. Organoclays with varying surface charge based upon BAOD were prepared and examined for their dispersion behavior in the polymer matrix. Initial evaluation was performed by preparing high molecular weight poly(amide acid) solutions in the presence of the organoclays at a 3 wt% loading. Films were cast and subsequently heated to 300 °C to cause imidization. The resulting nanocomposite films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. It was found that the clay's cation exchange capacity (CEC) played a key role in determining the extent of dispersion in the polyimide matrix. Considerable dispersion was observed in nanocomposite films prepared from organoclays possessing medium and high CECs. One organoclay that dispersed well was further evaluated in nanocomposite films at weight loadings of 5 and 8%. The nanocompo...
Mitochondrial DAMPs Increase Endothelial Permeability through Neutrophil Dependent and Independent Pathways

Trauma and sepsis can cause acute lung injury (ALI) and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in part by triggering neutrophil (PMN)-mediated increases in endothelial cell (EC) permeability. We had shown that mitochondrial (mt) damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) appear in the blood after injury or shock and activate human PMN. So we now hypothesized that mitochondrial DAMPs (MTD) like mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and peptides might play a role in increased EC permeability during systemic inflammation and proceeded to evaluate the underlying mechanisms. MtDNA induced changes in EC permeability occurred in two phases: a brief, PMN-independent 'spike' in permeability was followed by a prolonged PMN-dependent increase in permeability. Fragmented mitochondria (MTD) caused PMN-independent increase in EC permeability that were abolished with protease treatment. Exposure to mtDNA caused PMN-EC adherence by activating expression of adherence molecule expression in both cell types. Cellular activation was manifested as an increase in PMN calcium flux and EC MAPK phosphorylation. Permeability and PMN adherence were attenuated by endosomal TLR inhibitors. EC lacked formyl peptide receptors but were nonetheless activated by mt-proteins, showing that non-formylated mt-protein DAMPs can activate EC. Mitochondrial DAMPs can be released into the circulation by many processes that cause cell injury and lead to pathologic endothelial permeability. We show here that mitochondria contain multiple DAMP motifs that can act on EC and/or PMN via multiple pathways. This can enhance PMN adherence to EC, activate PMN-EC interactions and subsequently increase systemic endothelial permeability. Mitochondrial DAMPs may be important therapeutic targets in conditions where inflammation pathologically increases endothelial permeability.
Interfacial failure of a dental cement composite bonded to glass substrates

Summary Objectives To measure the interfacial fracture toughness and investigate failure mechanisms of dental cements bound to soda-lime glasses elastically equivalent to dental ceramics, as loading angle changes from 0 to 20°. Methods Two half-circle glass discs received surface treatment were bound using dental cement (3M RelyXTM ARC BLBL) to make Brazil-nut sandwich specimens for interfacial toughness testing. Before bonding the two half-circle glass disks, 8% hydrofluoric acid (HF) was applied on the surfaces to bond for 2 min, washed thoroughly for 1 min under tap water and air dried. The surfaces were further treated using silane primer Monobond-s (Vivadent, Liechtenstein) for 60 s and air dried. Interfacial toughness as a function of mode mixity was measured using an Instron testing machine by changing loading angels from 0 to 20°. The interfacial fracture surfaces were examined using SEM and EDX to determine the failure modes when loading angles change. Results Interfacial toughness increases from ∼1 to 8 J/m/m when loading angle increases from 0 to ∼20°. Increasing deformation and fracture in dental cement occur when loading angle increases. Significances Increasing interfacial toughness can be attributed to more deformation and fracture of dental cement when loading angle increases. Brazil-nut sandwich samples are shown to provide a promising alternative method to evaluate bond strength and interfacial failure for dental restoration. Research was supported by NIH (NYU/PHS No. F5262-07).
Ecological displays for robot interaction: a new perspective

Most interfaces for robot control have focused on providing users with the most current information and giving status messages about what the robot is doing. While this may work for people that are already experienced in robotic, we need an alternative paradigm for enabling new users to control robots effectively. Instead of approaching the problem as an issue of what information could be useful, the focus should be on presenting essential information in an intuitive way. One way to do this is to leverage perceptual cues that people are accustomed to using. By displaying information in such contexts, people are able to understand and use the interface more effectively. This paper presents interfaces which allow users to navigate in 3-D worlds with integrated range and camera information.