cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic Corruption: Considering Culture in Second-Generation Reforms

This paper is about systemic corruption and its cultural drivers. Corruption remains a key obstacle to development and overcoming poverty in the vast majority of nations worldwide. Countries with relatively good governments and high levels of public trust are few. Most countries are afflicted with systemic corruption, where abuse of power, authority and of the public trust cuts across virtually all sectors and institutions. The results of the anti-corruption reforms over the last generation have not been particularly effective. As argued in this paper, the anti-corruption reform agenda emphasizes incentive and accountability-based remedies, whether state or citizen-led, while overlooking cultural “blind spots.” In exploring the cultural influences of systemic corruption, the paper builds on a rich and growing literature on corruption and culture, and the author’s own experience and empirical work. The paper empirically demonstrates how systemic corruption may reflect a conflict or misalignment between formal rules and norms and their underlying value systems. Drawing on empirical evidence across regions, the paper highlights how particular corrupt practices, such as influence trading, favoritism and nepotism, are socially legitimized and accepted in many societies. While not drawing any final or authoritative judgments, the paper concludes with suggestions about “entry points” for a second generation of reforms.
A Longitudinal Study of Untreated Mucogingival Defects

A study was conducted to observe the changes in areas with untreated mucogingival defects over a 4-year period. Upon entering dental school, a group of freshman students were assessed for Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, and width of keratinized gingiva. These same students were reassessed for the same parameters at the end of their senior year. Of the 112 sites in 39 individuals, 33 sites revealed a slight increase in keratinized gingiva, 69 sites were unchanged, and 10 sites showed a slight decrease. These changes were minimal and not statistically significant. The Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and probing depth mean values showed a small but statistically significant improvement. In this group of students with a high degree of oral hygiene, areas with inadequate zones of attached gingiva were able to be maintained without further recession and without surgery.
Inverses of finite group systems

Inverse systems are considered for a class of discrete time-invariant systems that include the finite linear sequential circuits (LSC's). Invertibility results for finite group homomorphic sequential systems (FGHSS's), given by Willsky [8], are extended to include systems with throughput A construction is developed for an L -delay inverse of any FGHSS that is invertible with L\geq0 delays. This inverse is always a discrete time-invariant system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the inverse to consist of only homomorphic maps when the FGHSS state group is abelian, and only homomorphic and antihomomorphic maps when nonabelian. In the abelian case these conditions are necessary and sufficient for the existence of an inverse system of the specified delay that is itself an FGHSS. Invertible FGHSS's can be regarded as a generalization of convolutional encoders, since they include the class of invertible finite LSC's as a proper subclass.
Roles of dopa decarboxylase and phenoloxidase in the melanization of the tobacco hornworm and their control by 20-hydroxyecdysone.

WhenManduca sexta larvae are allatectomized 5 h before head capsule slippage (HCS) in the final larval molt, the new larval cuticle contains granules that melanize 3 h before ecdysis when the ecdysteroid titer falls (Curtis et al. 1984). In both the epidermis and hemolymph of these allatectomized larvae dopamine was higher than dopa prior to and at the time of melanization. Dopamine also increased in the new cuticle as melanization began. Dopa decarboxylase (DDC) activity increased in the epidermis, cuticle, and fat body beginning 16 h after HCS, with a two-fold greater increase in the epidermis of allatectomized larvae. Both α-MDH and α-fluoromethyl-dopa inhibited epidermal DDC activity and inhibited melanization in vitro when dopa was used as a precursor. Addition of dopamine to the medium allowed melanization in the presence of the inhibitors. All these results indicate that dopamine is likely the primary precursor of cuticular melanin. The diphenoloxidase in the premelanin granules was activated in vivo between 19 and 21 h after HCS and was found to prefer dopamine to dopa and not to convert tyrosine to melanin. The activation of the prophenoloxidase was inhibited by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), both in vivo and in vitro, if hormone was given by 16 h after HCS. Infusion of 1.2 μg/ml 20-HE into allatectomized larvae for 24 h from HCS prevented both the increase in DDC activity and the activation of the premelanin granules. Although the larvae ecdysed after a 15 h delay, melanization never occurred.
Andean Ecology: Adaptive Dynamics in Ecuador

Andean Ecology: Adaptive Dynamics in Ecuador. Gregory Knapp. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1991. 220pp. $34.00 (paper). ISBN 0–8133–8189–4.
Foamy virus vectors: new armaments for hematopoietic cell gene therapy

Transfer of therapeutic genes into reconstituting hematopoietic stem cells offers many theoretical advantages for treating blood disorders. Recent data showing that this approach can be curative in animal models, together with promising clinical results using gene therapy in XSCID patients, have
Robotic fundoplication in children: resident teaching and a single institutional review of our first 50 patients

Abstract Background Robotic surgery is a new technology that may eventually replace laparoscopy in treating many surgical issues in children. Resident education using robotic surgery has been a concern for many institutions. We present our first 50 consecutive robotic fundoplications in children and our teaching experience with this procedure. Method A 3-arm surgical robot was used to create a Nissen fundoplication with 1 additional port for liver retraction. Although there were exceptions, a 12-mm 3-dimensional camera was used in most patients greater than 10 kg, and a 5-mm 2-dimensional camera if less than 10 kg. Robotic instruments were either 8 or 5 mm. An accessory port was used for liver retraction. The console surgeon was either an attending surgeon or a fourth-year general surgery resident. The general surgery residents had limited prior minimally invasive experience consisting of cholecystectomies, appendectomies, and a few other procedures. Results Average age was 5.1 years (range, 1 month to 16 years). Average weight was 19.5 kg (range, 2.7-96.4 kg). No open conversions or intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperative complications included ileus (4%), dysphagia (4%), a G-tube site wound infection (2%), gas bloat syndrome (2%), and 1 wrap breakdown 3 years after the initial procedure (2%). Operative times for staff surgeons were down to 90 minutes after 5 fundoplications. Conclusion Robotic fundoplication is an acceptable method to perform minimally invasive antireflux surgery in children. Resident education and teaching can be readily accomplished using the robot and the learning curve is relatively short and steep.
Requirement for the Orphan Steroid Receptor Nur77 in Apoptosis of T-cell Hybridomas

Apoptosis is a phenomenon observed during development of many cell types in many organisms. It is an internal, programmed cell death characterized by DNA fragmentation into nucleosome-size pieces. Anti-CD3-induced apoptosis in T-cell hybridomas and immature thymocytes requires new gene transcription and may be related to negative selection during T-cell development. Using subtractive hybridization, we isolated a complementary DNA clone encoding the orphan steroid receptor Nur77 (refs 7-9). It shows different patterns of messenger RNA induction between apoptotic and stimulated T cells. We report here the use of gel shift analysis to demonstrate that the Nur77 protein is present at high levels in apoptotic T-cell hybridomas and apoptotic thymocytes, but not in growing T cells or stimulated splenocytes. A Nur77 dominant negative protected T-cell hybridomas from activation-induced apoptosis. Hence Nur77 is necessary for induced apoptosis in T-cell hybridomas.
Resistivity analysis for plane-layer half-space models with buried current sources

Boundary-value problems in steady-state current flow were solved numerically for one and two layers over a half-space. Solutions were obtained for layers of various resistivities where one of the current sources was placed below the surface and the second kept at some finite distance from the drill hole. When a fixed surface dipole receiving pair was used, it was found that as the buried source approached a conductive region, quite good determinations of the depth to the conductor could be made, hence reducing the possibility of extended drilling in “dry” holes resulting from poor surface data and/or interpretation. Numerous models were generated to find the optimum positioning of the two current electrodes for different field situations of this type. It was also found that by placing a current source in the conductive region, better resolution of the lateral extent of a possible ore zone could be obtained, due both to the more rapid convergence of the apparent resistivity to the resistivity of the conductor, and the fact that a smaller separation in the receiving dipole could be used. Numerous analog models were constructed to verify the digital results. Surface and down-hole resistivity field data are compared to show the strength of this technique in delineating structure.
A microfluidic-based hybrid SPR/molecular imaging biosensor for the multiplexed detection of foodborne pathogens

ABSTRACT It is important to screen our food supply for pathogen contaminations. Current methods to screen for bacterial contamination involve using costly reagents such as antibodies or PCR reagents or time-costly growth in cultures. There is need for portable, real-time, multiple x pathogen detection technology that can predict the safety of food where it is produced or distributed. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging is a sensitive, la bel-free method that can detect the binding of an analyte to a surface due to changes in refractive index th at occur upon binding. It can be used for labelfree detection of the presence of potential pathogens. Simulta neous fluorescence molecular imaging on the other side of the biochip can be used to ascertain pathogen status or functional state which may affect its potential danger to humans or animals. We are designing and testing hybrid microfluidic biochips to detect multiple pathogens using a combination of SPRI and fluorescence imaging. The device consists of an array of gold spots, each functionalized with a peptide targeting a specific pathogen. This peptide biosensor arra y is enclosed by a PDMS microfluidic flow chamber that delivers a magnetically concentrated sample to be tested. An SPR image is taken from the bottom of the biochip. Image analysis is used to quantify the amount of pathogen (both live and dead ) bound to each spot. Since PDMS is very transmissive to visible light, an epi-fluorescence image is taken from the top of the biochip. Fluorescence imaging determines the live:dead ratio of each pathogen using an inexpensive SYTO 9®-Propidium Iodide assay. The volume of sample that the biochip can analyze is small, so possible pathogens are pre-concentrated using immunomagnetic separation. Functionaliz ed magnetic particles are bound to pathogens present in the sample, and a magnet is used to separate them from the bulk fluid. KEY TERMS: foodborne pathog ens; microfluidic; imaging; surface plasmon resonance; E. coli O157:H7
On the chaotic evolution of baroclinic instability of wave-wave interactions with topography

De Szoeke (1986) developed an asymptotic solution for the nonlinear evolution of a type of baroclinic instability of a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model over topography. He found that under certain conditions pairs of hybrid modes interacting with topography could become unstable in the linearized model. He also found that the addition of the nonlinearity stabilized the flow which he analyzed using an expansion in small ∈, a measure of the topographic height. This work is extended and modified by first considering a slightly varying mean flow (time dependent parametric forcing) which produces chaotic behavior, and then considering friction which allows chaos on a strange attractor. This chaos is examined in various ways including using Melnikov's method. The original unforced system without friction can be called critically nonchaotic in that only a very small amount of forcing produces significant chaotic behavior. We then investigate whether the original system can be chaotic without any variation in the mean flow. An additional term is included in the asymptotic system to form a six variable system which can become chaotic. We also look at a more general, nonasymptotic, initial value problem consisting of sixteen variables, assuming small amplitudes, which also can become chaotic. Finally, we consider an asymptotic expansion in small α, the aspect ratio of the top to the bottom layer, assuming ∈ = O(1), which is often more realistic in the ocean. It is found that at the conditions of greatest initial growth of the amplitudes the system can be chaotic with the largest amplitude in the top layer.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Coronary In-Stent Restenosis Across 3-Stent Generations”

We appreciate the interest and comments from Drs De Rosa and Indolfi in regard to our article.1 As stated in our article, neoatherosclerosis, which leads to late neointima formation, is seen across all 3 generations of metallic stents. It is our impression that the neointima of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) is less vulnerable and, as a result, associated with fewer events when compared with first-generation DES. Although vessel caging is also common across the 3 generations of metal stents, it is only one component of the mechanism for restenosis. Neoatherosclerosis has …
Quality of Life and Pain in Patients With Recurrent Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

Pain is a central factor affecting quality of life for the cancer patient. This descriptive study was designed to explore the relationship between pain and several factors affecting quality of life. The factors explored included physical and social functioning, emotional health, and spiritual commitment in women with recurrent breast or gynecologic cancer. Pain frequency, amount, and interference with activities were found to correlate more strongly with objective measures of quality of life (i.e., physical and social functioning) than subjective measures (i.e., psychological or spiritual dimensions).
Late Pleistocene paleohydrology near the boundary of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, southeastern Arizona, USA

Abstract Ground-water discharge (GWD) deposits form in arid environments as water tables rise and approach or breach the ground surface during periods of enhanced effective precipitation. Where preserved, these deposits contain information on the timing and elevation of past ground-water fluctuations. Here we report on the investigation of a series of GWD deposits that are exposed in discontinuous outcrops along a ∼150-km stretch of the San Pedro Valley in southeastern Arizona, near the boundary of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. Chronologic, isotopic, geochemical, faunal assemblage (ostracodes and gastropods), and sedimentological evidence collectively suggest that the elevation of the regional water table in the valley rose in response to a change in climate ∼50 ka ago and remained relatively high for the next ∼35 ka before falling during the Bolling–Allerod warm period, rebounding briefly during the Younger Dryas cold event, and falling again at the onset of the Holocene. The timing of these hydrologic changes coincides closely with variations in δ18O values of calcite from a nearby speleothem to the west and changes in lake levels at pluvial Lake Cochise to the east. Thus, in southeastern Arizona, the assumption that changes in climate are reflected in all aspects of the hydrologic cycle of a region simultaneously is validated. The timing of these changes also broadly coincides with variations in the GISP2 δ18O record, which supports the hypothesis that atmospheric teleconnections existed between the North Atlantic and the deserts of the American Southwest during the late Pleistocene.
Altering Cellular Signaling Pathways Enhance Gene Silencing Activity of shRNA, shRNA.Ribozyme, and shRNA.Antisense in Neuroblastoma Cells

1. RNA interference (RNAi) is a multicomponent machinery that operates in a sequence-specific manner to repress the expression of genes in most eukaryotic cells. 2. Here we wanted to investigate in a murine neuroblastoma cell line (NBP2) (a) if replacement of the loop of the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) with a hammerhead ribozyme (shRNA.RZ) or an antisense oligonucleotide (shRNA.AS) would affect the efficacy of gene suppression, and (b) if activation or inhibition of signaling pathways would enhance the efficacy of shRNA, shRNA.RZ, and shRNA.AS complex in gene silencing. 3. We used U6-driven expression of these shRNAs to target either a short-lived green fluorescent protein (d2EGFP) or an endogenous cyclophilin A (CyP-A) gene in a d2EGFP expressing NBP2 cell line (NBP2-PN25). 4. Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway or inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) enhanced the efficacy of shRNA and shRNA.RZ complex in reducing the expression of d2EGFP shRNA.RZ complex was as efficacious as shRNA in reducing the expression of d2EGFP and CyP-A shRNA.AS complex showed a slightly lower efficacy than shRNA alone in decreasing d2EGFP expression. In contrast, the U6-driven hammerhead ribozyme targeted to d2EGFP showed no gene silencing activity. 5. This report describes novel strategies of modifying shRNA and altering signaling pathways to affect siRNA-mediated gene silencing in a neuronal cell line.
Switching function canonical forms based on commutative and associative binary operations: The switching function

It is often convenient to consider the arguments of a switching function to be the components zero or 1 of a vector. It is appropriate, therefore, to employ a vector notation for the theory of switching. The notation developed by Iverson1 for the study of automatic data processing is admirably suited, with a few modifications, to the theory of switching as well. Those features of the Iverson notation that are appropriate have been adapted for the present discussion, and are set forth below.
Electron transfer dissociation of oligonucleotide cations

Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) of multi-protonated 6 - 20-mer oligonucleotides and 12- and 14-mer duplexes is compared to collision activated dissociation (CAD). ETD causes efficient charge reduction of the multi-protonated oligonucleotides in addition to limited backbone cleavages to yield sequence ions of low abundance. Subsequent CAD of the charge-reduced oligonucleotides formed upon electron transfer, in a net process termed electron transfer collision activated dissociation (ETcaD), results in rich fragmentation in terms of w, a, z, and d products, with a marked decrease in the abundance of base loss ions and internal fragments. Complete sequencing was possible for nearly all oligonucleotides studied. ETcaD of an oligonucleotide duplex resulted in specific backbone cleavages, with conservation of weaker non-covalent bonds.
Crystallization and Preliminary X-ray Analysis of Restriction Endonuclease BamHI-DNA Complex

Abstract Restriction endonuclease Bam HI from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens has been co-crystallized with a 12 bp DNA fragment that encompasses its recognition site. The co-crystals diffract to at least 1·95 A resolution and belong to space group P 2 1 2 1 2 1 . The unit cell parameters are a = 108·8 A, b = 81·9 A, c = 68·8 A, consistent with one complex in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The direction of the DNA appears to be along the b axis. In order to achieve end to end stacking of DNA, the complex must lie on the screw axis along b . A self-rotation function has determined the directions of the non-crystallographic 2-fold axes.
Interracial commitment and involvement in undergraduate tutors in an inner‐city preschool

Interracial commitment of female undergraduates who volunteered to work as tutors with inner-city preschool children was compared with female nonvolunteer practicum students who also worked as tutors, and female undergraduates who had no contant with the children. The relationship between personal characteristics of the volunteer and the nonvolunteer tutors and tutor-child interaction was also investigated. Following work with the children, volunteer tutors were found to increase in interracial commitment, while nonvolunteer tutors decreased. Tutors who had tolerant, nondogmatic personalities and favorable attitudes towards ghetto persons and welfare recipients were more likely to be highly involved in their interaction with the children they tutored than were tutors with less favorable attitudes. High involved tutors were also found to be more critical of institutions which serve these client populations than were less involved tutors. Implications for future programs involving undergraduate mental health workers and selection of effective, involved mental health workers were discussed.
A comparison of just‐in‐time inventory and the quantity discount model in retail outlets

The inventory management system of a discount retail store was examined. A just‐in‐time inventory management model and a quantity discount model were used to determine the appropriateness of each model for the retail outlet. Based on the calculations performed, it was determined that utilizing a retail just‐in‐time (JIT) policy is unrealistic. Customer demands constantly change, and shortages due to stock‐outs can cause huge losses in profits, especially when customers are lost to competitors. Additionally, the quantity discount model provides the lowest total cost for a retail outlet. Not only are the prices cheaper when inventory is bought in large quantities, but shortages or stock‐outs are rare. The optimal solution for a retail store is implementing the quantity discount method.
Global data on land surface parameters from NOAA AVHRR for use in numerical climate models

Abstract This paper reviews satellite datasets from the NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer that could be employed in support of numerical climate modeling at regional and global scales. Presently available NOAA operational and research datasets of different resolutions as well as the NASA–NOAA Pathfinder dataset, available in the near future, are briefly described. Specific problems in deriving surface characteristics in the context of their potential use for models are discussed. Possible ways of solving these problems are briefly described, based on the state-of-the-art level of understanding in this area of research. Some examples of seasonal variability of AVHRR-derived surface parameters, such as albedo, greenness, and clear-sky midafternoon temperature, for different climatic regions are presented. Validation issues and potential operational production of such land climate parameters are discussed.
Prototype design and testing of a Venus long duration, high altitude balloon

Abstract This paper describes the design, fabrication and testing of a full scale prototype balloon intended for long duration flight in the upper atmosphere of Venus. The balloon is 5.5 m in diameter and is designed to carry a 45 kg payload at an altitude of 55 km. The balloon material is a 180 g/m2 multi-component laminate comprised of the following layers bonded together from outside to inside: aluminized Teflon film, aluminized Mylar film, Vectran fabric and a polyurethane coating. This construction provides the required balloon functional characteristics of low gas permeability, sulfuric acid resistance and high strength for superpressure operation. The design burst superpressure is 39,200 Pa which is predicted to be 3.3 times the worst case value expected during flight at the highest solar irradiance in the mission profile. The prototype is constructed from 16 gores with bi-taped seams employing a sulfuric acid resistant adhesive on the outside. Material coupon tests were performed to evaluate the optical and mechanical characteristics of the laminate. These were followed by full prototype tests for inflation, leakage and sulfuric acid tolerance. The results confirmed the suitability of this balloon design for use at Venus in a long duration mission. The various data are presented and the implications for mission design and operation are discussed.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TARIFFS IN THE 1930s IN AUSTRALIA: THE BRIGDEN REPORT RE‐EXAMINED*

In 1927, the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr S.M. Bruce, appointed a committee of economists to undertake an inquiry into the economic impact of the Australian tariffs. The Report of this committee, known as the Brigden Report, was published in July 1929. In assessing the impact of tariffs on the Australian economy, the committee concluded that the protective tariff has been an effective means of securing a higher standard of living for a larger population. The purpose of this paper is to examine this conclusion quantitatively by simulating a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the 1930s in Australia. The results support the above conclusion of the Brigden Committee if the demand for Australian primary exports were price inelastic.
In vivo assessment of optimal b-value range for perfusion-insensitive apparent diffusion coefficient imaging.

Purpose: To assess the optimal b-values range for perfusion-insensitive apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) imaging of abdominal organs using short-duration DW-MRI acquisitions with currently available ADC estimation methods. Methods: DW-MRI data of 15 subjects were acquired with eight b-values in the range of 5–800 s/mm2. The reference-standard, a perfusion insensitive, ADC value (ADCIVIM), was computed using an intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model with all acquired diffusion-weighted images. Simulated DW-MRI data was generated using an IVIM model with b-values in the range of 0–1200 s/mm2. Monoexponential ADC estimates were calculated using: (1) Two-point estimator (ADC2); (2) least squares three-point (ADC3) estimator and; (3) Rician noise model estimator (ADCR). The authors found the optimal b-values for perfusion-insensitive ADC calculations by minimizing the relative root mean square error (RRMS) between the ADCIVIM and the monoexponential ADC values for each estimation method and organ. Results: Low b-value = 300 s/mm2 and high b-value = 1200 s/mm2 minimized the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference-standard ADCIVIM to less than 5% using the ADC3 estimator. By considering only the in vivo DW-MRI data, the combination of low b-value = 270 s/mm2 and high b-value of 800 s/mm2 minimized the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference-standard ADCIVIM to <7% using the ADC3 estimator. For all estimators, the RRMS between the estimated ADC and the reference standard ADC correlated strongly with the perfusion-fraction parameter of the IVIM model (r = [0.78–0.83], p ≤ 0.003). Conclusions: The perfusion compartment in DW-MRI signal decay correlates strongly with the RRMS in ADC estimates from short-duration DW-MRI. The impact of the perfusion compartment on ADC estimations depends, however, on the choice of b-values and estimation method utilized. Likewise, perfusion-related errors can be reduced to <7% by carefully selecting the b-values used for ADC calculations and method of estimation.
Futility Considerations in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The purpose of this article is to summarize and comment on the history of medical decision making in the neonatal intensive care nursery, emphasizing considerations of futility. Several epochs will be described, with shifting roles of health care providers, the infant's family, and proxies for society at large. Futility has been an issue in the intensive care of newborn infants throughout the last 35 years. Long before the Baby Doe regulations and the formation of ethics committees, neonatologists tried to determine which care measures were indicated. Given the frequency of severe malformations, birth asphyxia, and extreme prematurity, it has been a common event for the responsible physician to ask himself: will this treatment be beneficial or merely futile? As the therapeutic armamentarium became more powerful and complex, the choices from among a possible array of interventions became increasingly difficult. The autonomy of parents as decision makers was increasingly affirmed. In the 1980s, the federal government, the courts, and frequent malpractice suits set boundaries on medical decision making. In the 1990s, third party payors became increasingly assertive in limiting resource expenditure. These legal and societal mandates are frequently at variance with one another. Thus the issue of medical futility, as it applies to neonates in the United States, must be considered unresolved.
Methodology for isolation, identification and characterization of microvesicles in peripheral blood.

Rationale Analyses of circulating cell membrane-derived microvesicles (MV) have come under scrutiny as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of disease. However, methods to isolate, label and quantify MV have been neither systematized nor validated.
Analytic rotation to a functional relationship

It is suggested that a number of theoretical models for non-test data can be tested by factor analysis. A traditional method for transforming principal-axis factor solutions is used as an aid in making such tests; a modification of this method is suggested. Means of using all of the information in a model for the purpose of determining the transformation of the arbitrary factor solution are presented, and an illustrative example is given.
CASDAL: CASSM's DAta Language

CASDAL is a high level data language designed and implemented for the database machine CASSM. The language is used for the manipulation and maintenance of a database using an unnormalized (hierarchically structured) relational data model. It also has facilities to define, modify, and maintain the data model definition. The uniqueness of CASDAL lies in its power to specify complex operations in terms of several new language constructs and its concepts of tagging or marking tuples and of matching values when walking from relation to relation. The language is a result of a top-down design and development effort for a database machine in which high level language constructs are directly supported by the hardware. This paper (1) gives justifications for the use of an unnormalized relational model on which the language is based, (2) presents the CASDAL language constructs with examples, and (3) describes CASSM's architecture and hardware primitives which match closely with the high level language constructs and facilitate the translation process. This paper also attempts to show how the efficiency of the language and the translation task can be achieved and simplified in a system in which the language is the result of a top-down system design and development.
Synthesis of polymeric lubricating films directly at the sliding interface via mechanochemical reactions of allyl alcohols adsorbed from the vapor phase

Ensuring lubrication effects during disruption of lubricant molecule supply is an important objective for boundary lubrication. Friction tests conducted in an allyl alcohol vapor environment yielded a friction coefficient near 0.25, which was significantly lower than the values (>0.6) measured for unlubricated contacts, and produced a tribopolymer where contact occurred. No tribopolymer was created outside the contact area, and the underlying substrate was not worn inside the contact area. A tribopolymer film created during 800 cycles of allyl alcohol vapor flow could lubricate sliding contacts for 30 000 cycles even after allyl alcohol vapor supplied was ceased. No significant wear or friction increase was observed during these cycles. Infrared spectroscopy analysis of the slide contact area indicated that the tribopolymer is a polyalcohol formed by polymerization of the allylic group. No tribopolymer formation was observed for vapor phase lubrication with saturated normal alcohols. The tribopolymer created from allyl alcohol vapor must be mechanochemically synthesized within the sliding interface. Such a mechanochemical synthesis of polymeric lubricant film could be applied to boundary lubrication of micro-scale devices.
Rapid Discovery of Corrosion Inhibitors and Synergistic Combinations Using High-Throughput Screening Methods

Abstract One approach to accelerate the discovery process of experimentally determined products is through the use of high-throughput screening (HTS) methods. This paper presents a method for the r...
Expression and Native Structure of Cytosolic Class II Small Heat-Shock Proteins

Higher plants synthesize small heat-shock proteins (smHSPs) from five related gene families. The class I and II families encode cytosolic smHSPs. We characterized the class II smHSPs of pea (Pisum sativum) and compared them with class I smHSPs. Antibodies against recombinant HSP17.7, a class II smHSP, recognized four heat-inducible 17- to 18-kD polypeptides and did not cross-react with class I smHSPs. On sucrose gradients the class II smHSPs sedimented primarily at 8 Svedberg units, indicating that they are components of large complexes similar in size to class I smHSP complexes. However, the class I and II complexes were readily distinguishable by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Nondenaturing immune precipitations using anti-HSP17.7 or anti-HSP18.1 (a class I smHSP) antiserum provide further evidence that the class I and II smHSPs exist in different complexes, composed primarily of smHSPs. Recombinant HSP17.7 and HSP18.1 formed complexes of sizes similar to those formed in vivo. When these two smHSPs were mixed, denatured with urea, and then dialyzed, the distinct class I and II complexes again formed, each containing only HSP18.1 or HSP17.7. Thus, cytosolic smHSPs from two related gene families expressed simultaneously form distinct complexes in vivo, suggesting that they have subtly different functions.
Fluid-Solid Interaction of Incompressible Media Using h, p, k Mathematical and Computational Framework

This paper considers multi-media interaction processes in which the interacting media are incompressible elastic solids and incompressible liquids such as Newtonian fluids, generalized Newtonian fluids, dilute polymeric liquids described by Maxwell, and Oldroyd-B models or dense polymeric liquids with Giesekus constitutive model. The mathematical models for both solids and liquids are developed using conservation laws in Eulerian description for isothermal conditions with velocities, pressure, and deviatoric stresses as dependent variables. The constitutive equations for the solids and the liquids provide closure to the governing differential equations resulting from the conservation laws. For Newtonian and generalized Newtonian fluids, the commonly used constitutive equations are well known in terms of first convected derivative of the strain tensor, stress tensor, and the transport properties of the fluids. For dilute and dense polymeric liquids that are viscous as well as elastic, the mathematical mode...
PUTTING PROTEIN SPLICING TO WORK

Several protein processing events that involve related chemical mechanisms have been observed in nature. Now, new methods have been developed, based on the same chemical reactions, that permit proteins to be modified in ways that were not previously possible.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in Gulf War illness revealed by 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: a case-control study.

Background Approximately 1/3 of 1990-1 Gulf War veterans developed chronic multisymptom health problems. Implicated exposures bear mechanisms that adversely affect mitochondria. Symptoms emphasize fatigue, cognition and muscle (brain and muscle are aerobically demanding); with protean additional domains affected, compatible with mitochondrial impairment. Recent evidence supports treatments targeting cell bioenergetics (coenzyme10) to benefit Gulf War illness symptoms. However, no evidence has directly documented mitochondrial or bioenergetic impairment in Gulf War illness. Objective We sought to objectively assess for mitochondrial dysfunction, examining post-exercise phosphocreatine-recovery time constant (PCr-R) using 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS), in Gulf War veterans with Gulf War illness compared to matched healthy controls. PCr-R has been described as a “robust and practical” index of mitochondrial status. Design and Participants Case-control study from 2012–2013. Fourteen community-dwelling Gulf War veterans and matched controls from the San Diego area comprised 7 men meeting CDC and Kansas criteria for Gulf War illness, and 7 non-deployed healthy controls matched 1∶1 to cases on age, sex, and ethnicity. Outcome Measure Calf muscle phosphocreatine was evaluated by 31P-MRS at rest, through 5 minutes of foot pedal depression exercise, and in recovery, to assess PCr-R. Paired t-tests compared cases to matched controls. Results PCr-R was significantly prolonged in Gulf War illness cases vs their matched controls: control values, mean±SD, 29.0±8.7 seconds; case values 46.1±18.0 seconds; difference 17.1±14.9 seconds; p = 0.023. PCr-R was longer for cases relative to their matched controls for all but one pair; moreover while values clustered under 31 seconds for all but one control, they exceeded 35 seconds (with a spread up to 70 seconds) for all but one case. Discussion These data provide the first direct evidence supporting mitochondrial dysfunction in Gulf War illness. Findings merit replication in a larger study and/or corroboration with additional mitochondrial assessment tools.
Response bounds for lumped vibrational systems with time-dependent parameters

Abstract A Liapunov-type technique is used to determine the response bounds for lumped vibrational systems with time-dependent parameters described by a set of second order differential equations. The Liapunov function is predetermined in terms of the time-invariant parameters of the system and therefore the guesswork and/or optimization process required in the selection of a suitable “test function” is completely eliminated. The technique is computationally simple and can be applied to systems involving general types of forces. Illustrative examples, including a system subjected to follower forces, are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Stem-cell hierarchy in skin cancer

Tumour architecture mimics many of the features of normal tissues, with a cellular hierarchy that regulates the balance between cell renewal and cell death. Although many tumours contain cells with the characteristics of stem cells, the identity of the normal cells that acquire the first genetic hits leading to initiation of carcinogenesis has remained elusive. Identification of the primary cell of origin of cancers and the mechanisms that influence cell-fate decisions will be crucial for the development of novel non-toxic therapies that influence tumour-cell behaviour.
Historical background to accidental death and disability: the neglected disease of modern society.

(2000). H ISTORICAL B ACKGROUND TO ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISABILITY: THE NEGLECTED DISEASE OF MODERN SOCIETY. Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 285-289.
Effect of feeding a choline-deficient diet on submandibular salivary gland lipids of rats.

Abstract The lipid composition of submandibular salivary glands (SMSG) of weanling rats fed a choline-deficient diet or a control diet for 16 days was investigated. The levels of eicostrienoic (20:3) and arachidonic (20:4) acid in the total lipids of the SMSG were reduced in the deficient rats. Similarly, there were changes in the fatty acid composition of triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidyl serine (PS) + phosphatidyl inositol (PI) fractions. The proportion of PE fraction in the SMSG lipids was significantly higher in the rats fed the choline-deficient diet as compared with that of the controls; the proportions of PC and PI + PS fractions were not changed. Consequently, PC PE ratios were lower in SMSG lipids of rats fed the choline-deficient diet as compared with those fed the choline-supplemented diet.
Strength Optimization for Cylindrical Shells of Laminated Composites

Optimum fiber orientations in symmetrically laminated cylindrical shells under combined loadings are investigated. The theory of maximum work is used as the strength criterion. A modified golden section method is employed for the optimization. The glass-epoxy composite is taken for numerical examples.
An allele of the Prot locus in maize is a variant for the site of protein processing.

An allele of theProt locus, which encodes a major globulin of the maize scutellum, is a variant for a site of protein processing. Segregation analysis and recombination mapping indicate that the variant is an allele of theProt locus. DesignatedProt-V, this allele specifies three polypeptides, V1, V2, and V3. The V1 polypeptide is incompletely processed during the proteolytic processing step catalyzed by the product of theMep locus. Cyanogen bromide cleavage studies support the precursor-product relationship between V1 and V2. The V1 product is shortened with respect to other PROT′ proteins and it is postulated that the normal site of MEP processing has been removed by this foreshortening.
Torture: a nursing concern.

Survivors of torture report that their tormentors have included physicians and nurses. Such misuse of medical and nursing knowledge to engage in unconscionable acts is unethical, unprofessional and a violation of human rights. Torture and its use, ways in which health professional participate and steps taken by nursing toward its prevention are discussed. Language: en
Biochemistry of sensing and adaptation

Abstract A sensory transduction system which shows an adaptive response can be described in biochemical terms. Chemoeffectors induce a conformational change in receptors which alters their properties in relation to informition processing molecules within the cell.
Shelf Reading as a Collaborative Service Model

Shelf reading the stacks is very often not seen as scholarly work in library circles and is therefore overlooked. However, there is a very real frustration of a patron who cannot find the material they need. There are very few studies that provide a working model for shelf reading. The authors suggest a collaborative shelf reading model based on the inventory control method of cycle counting.
Okra production with pine straw mulch

Conventional planted okra in Booneville, Arkansas and Lorman, Mississippi were mulched with loblolly pine straw (Pinus taeda L.) and longleaf pine straw (P. palustris Mill.), respectively, at a rate of 11 t/ha or left bare. At Booneville, plant stand, season yields (18.6 t/ha), pod weight (16.3 g), plant dry weight (2.3 kg), or stem diameter (3.5 cm) were not affected by the loblolly pine mulch. However, mulch application increased pod number (1.22 vs. 1.06×106/ha) and plant height (1.5 vs. 1.6 m), while reducing weed competition (0.05 vs. 0.40 t/ha) and visible plant stress, during periods of soil moisture deficits. Soil temperatures at 5 and 15 cm depth were reduced by mulch until mid-August when plant canopies covered the rows. Seasonal moisture at 30 and 45 cm depths was similar between mulched and bare soils, based upon unreplicated neutron probe measurements. At Lorman, season okra yield (29.8 vs. 24.6 t/ha), number of pods per ha (1.24 vs. 1.07×106) and weed competition were reduced and soil pH lowered 0.56 units by longleaf pine straw mulch. Mulch reduced early season yield at both locations.
Is the PTPase-vanadate complex a true transition state analogue?

Vanadate can often bind to phosphoryl transfer enzymes to form a trigonal-bipyramidal structure at the active site. The enzyme-vanadate dissociation constants in these enzymes are much lower than those for phosphate. Therefore, enzyme-bound vanadate moieties are often considered as transition state analogues. To test whether the enzyme-vanadate complex is a true transition state analogue beyond the simple geometry and binding affinity arguments and whether the bond orders of the VO bonds in the complex approach those of the PO bonds in the transition state, the binding properties of vanadate in the Yersinia protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) and its T410A, D356N, W354A, R409K, and D356A mutants have been studied by steady-state kinetic measurements and by difference Raman measurements. The results of the kinetic measurements show no correlation between K 1 and k c a t or k c a t /K m in these mutants. In addition, our analysis of the Raman data shows that the bond order change of the nonbridging V?O bonds in the vanadate complexes does not correlate with the kinetic parameters in a number of PTPase variants as predicted by the transition state binding paradigm. Furthermore, the ionization state of the bound vanadate moiety is not invariant across the PTPase variants studied, and the average bond order of the nonbridging V?O bonds decreased by 0.06-0.07 valence unit in the wild type and all of the mutant PTPases, either in dianionic or in monoanionic form. Thus the complex would resemble an associative transition state, contrary to the previously determined dissociative structure of the transition state. Therefore, it is concluded that vanadate is not a true transition state analogue for the PTPase reactions.
Teaching American Politics Through Student Projects: Electoral Reform Issues and Political Change

The two projects described herein require small groups of students to analyze the political and normative consequences of commonly proposed political changes. Students do research and give reports on specific proposals for reforming the electoral college and the electoral process. The result is increased student awareness of the political realities, the political consequences, and the normative issues associated with change in politics. Students also become familiar with primary library sources on American politics. The projects take from two to four days and can be used in both introductory and upper-division American politics courses.
Cryogenically Cooled Detector System For Spectroscopic Applications Of Solid-State Arrays

This detector system was designed primarily for spectroscopic applications in astronomy. The main design goal was to provide a fast, high throughput optical system for adapting cryogenically cooled, self-scanned solid-state arrays to an existing KPNO spectrograph. The final system design combined the optics, mechanical housing, cryogenic cooling, detector, and the first stage of detector electronics into a single package. The system includes an F/7.6 collimator, grisms (prism and transmission grating combined), an F/1.0 Schmidt-type optical camera, a cryogenically cooled, high resolution, solid-state CCD array with a specially designed electronics package for the detector. The system was optically and mechanically interfaced to an existing KPNO spectrograph for added flexibility and cost savings. The system can, with minimum reconfiguration, be used for slit spectroscopy, two-dimensional slitless spectroscopy, or two-dimensional photometry. The spectroscopic applications can be configured for low resolution use with a transmission grism or for medium resolution use with a reflection grating.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.