cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Radical Recreation: Non-Iconic Movements of Tradition in Keralite Classical Dance

Many studies assume that dance develops as a bearer of tradition through iconic continuity (Downey 2005; Hahn 2007; Meduri 1996, 2004; Srinivasan 2007, 2011, Zarrilli 2000). In some such studies, lapses in Iconic continuity are highlighted to demonstrate how “tradition” is “constructed”, lacking substantive historical character or continuity (Meduri 1996; Srinivasan 2007, 2012). In the case of Mohiniyattam – a classical dance of Kerala, India – understanding the form’s tradition as built on Iconic transfers of semiotic content does not account for the overarching trajectory of the forms’ history. Iconic replication of the form as it passed from teacher to student was largely absent in its recreation in the early 20th century. Simply, there were very few dancers available to teach the older practice to new dancers in the 1960s. And yet, Mohiniyattam dance is certainly considered to be a “traditional” style to its practitioners. Throughout this paper I argue that the use of Peircean categories to understand the semiotic processes of Mohiniyattam’s reinvention in the 20th century allows us to reconsider tradition as a matter of Iconic continuity. In particular, an examination of transfers of repertoire in the early 20th century demonstrates that the “traditional” and “authentic” character of this dance style resides in semeiotic processes beyond Iconic reiteration; specifically, the “traditional” character of Mohiniyattam is Indexical and Symbolic in nature.
Physarum myosin light chain one: A potential regulatory factor in cytoplasmic streaming

Physarum myosin is composed of a heavy chain of about 225,000 daltons and two small polypeptides of 17,700 and 16,100 daltons, called light chain one (LC 1) and two (LC 2). Light chain one is shown to belong to the general class of regulating light chains by two independent criteria. After denaturation, purification and renaturation of thePhysarum light chains only LC 1 will combine with scallop myofibrils in which one myosin regulatory light chain has been removed. This LC 1 can restore inhibition of the ATPase activity of the myofibrils at 10−8 M Ca++ just as well as light chains from rabbit skeletal myosin. Secondly, this LC 1 is the only component of the myosin that is significantly phosphorylated by an endogenous kinase present in crude actomyosin. An active phosphatase is also present. Preliminary results could not detect calcium sensitivity for either kinase or phosphatase, nevertheless the importance of phosphorylation in affecting activity of biological systems suggests that LC 1 may serve some regulating function for plasmodial actomyosin.
Enzymic programs of rat bone marrow and the impact of acivicin and tiazofurin.

Abstract The in vivo actions of two antimetabolites, acivicin (NSC-163501) and tiazofurin (NSC-286193), were examined on the enzymic programs of rat bone marrow. From the bone marrow of the femurs, 100,000 g supernatant fractions were prepared; enzymic activities were measured by isotopic assays, and cellularity was determined. In the normal bone marrow, the specific activities of pyrimidine de novo synthetic enzymes, CDP reductase, dTMP synthase, CTP synthase, carbamoyl-phosphate synthase II (synthase II), orotidine 5'-phosphate decarboxylase and aspartate carbamoyltransferase, were 1, 2.7, 5, 10, 63 and 601 nmol/hr/mg protein, respectively, whereas those of the salvage enzymes, deoxycytidine, thymidine, cytidine and uridine kinases were 3, 43, 149, and 367 nmol/hr/mg protein, respectively. In purine biosynthesis, the activities of the de novo synthetic enzymes, IMP dehydrogenase, fonnylglycinamidine ribonucleotide (FGAM) synthase, GMP synthase, amidophosphoribosyitransferase (AT) and adenylosuccinate synthase were 16, 8, 107, 78 and 124 nmol/hr/mg protein, respectively, and those of the salvage enzymes, adenine, hypoxanthine and guanine phosphoribosyl-transferases, were 340, 407, and 1018 mol/hr/mg protein, respectively. The sequence of events was elucidated after a single i.p. injection of acivicin (5 mg/kg) or tiazofurin (200 mg/kg). Within 2hr after acivicin injection, CTP, GMP and FGAM synthases lost 85–90%, while AT and synthase II lost 50 and 80%, respectively, of their activities. The activities rose to near normal range by 72–96 hr. The bone marrow cellularity decreased, reaching a nadir at 24 and 48 hr, and returning to normal range by 72 and 92 hr; thymidine kinase activity followed a similar pattern. Tiazofurin injection depressed IMP dehydrogenase activity to 20% by 2 hr with a rebound to normal range by 48 and 72 hr. The cellularity decreased more slowly, reaching its lowest point at 24 hr and returning to normal range at 72 hr. For acivicin the marked depletion of the activities of the glutamine-utilizing enzymes and for tiazofurin that of IMP dehydrogenase might account, in part at least, for the bone marrow toxicity of these antimetabolites. Because of the presence in the bone marrow of high activities of purine and pyrimidine salvage enzymes, it should be possible to design methods utilizing nucleosides and nucleobases to protect the bone marrow from the action of antimetabolites.
SOME PROPERTIES OF A MICROSOMAL FRACTION PREPARED FROM TOMATO FRUIT

A method is described for preparation of a microsomal fraction from tomato fruits at various stages of ripeness. Electron microscopic examination of the membrane fractions was performed. The membrane preparation utilized molecular oxygen in the presence of NADH. This utilization was increased when cytochrome c was added, and cytochrome c enhanced the disappearance of NADH. Cytochrome c reduction was approximately equal to the loss of NADH. Cytochrome c reductase activity was not affected by stage of ripeness. Cytochrome c enhanced both O2 uptake and NADH utilization by the tomato microsomes. Monophasic Arrhenius plots were observed for oxygen utilization by the microsomal fractions in the presence or absence of cytochrome c.
Benign vaginal bleeding in 24 prepubertal patients: clinical, biochemical and imaging features.

OBJECTIVE Premature menarche is an uncommon, benign condition characterized by isolated or recurrent menstrual bleeding in the absence of secondary sexual characteristics. METHODS We performed an observational retrospective study to further characterize the clinical, biochemical and imaging features of benign prepubertal vaginal bleeding (BPVB). Out of 1037 girls evaluated for precocious puberty over a 5-year period, 24 girls with BPVB were identified based on ≥1 episodes of vaginal bleeding, Tanner I or non-progressive Tanner II breast development, and lack of physical findings suggesting genital infection, trauma or foreign body. RESULTS Age at presentation ranged from 3 years 2 months to 9 years 11 months. Ten patients (42%) had one episode of vaginal bleeding, six (25%) had two episodes and eight patients (33%) had three or more. First bleeding episode lasted 3 days (range; 1-30 days). Six girls had intermittent spotting for up to 1 year. No breast development was noted in 19 (79%) patients. Minimal breast was present in five girls; early pubic hair was present in 2. LH and FSH were prepubertal; estradiol was >20 pg/mL in two girls. Pelvic ultrasound, performed in 11 patients, showed pre-pubertal uterus and ovaries without adnexal masses. CONCLUSION Isolated prepubertal vaginal bleeding is typically benign and self-limited, in the absence of sexual precocity signs or other vaginal pathology. Laboratory and imaging studies are generally unrevealing.
Mammalian MYC Proteins and Cancer

The MYC family of proteins is a group of basic-helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper transcription factors that feature prominently in cancer. Overexpression of MYC is observed in the vast majority of human malignancies and promotes an extraordinary set of changes that impact cell proliferation, growth, metabolism, DNA replication, cell cycle progression, cell adhesion, differentiation, and metastasis. The purpose of this review is to introduce the reader to the mammalian family of MYC proteins, highlight important functional properties that endow them with their potent oncogenic potential, describe their mechanisms of action and of deregulation in cancer cells, and discuss efforts to target the unique properties of MYC, and of MYC-driven tumors, to treat cancer.
Electrooptic beam deflection using the leaky mode of a planar waveguide

Electrooptic beam deflection using the leaky mode of a TiO/sub 2/ thin-film waveguide in optical contact with a LiNbO/sub 3/ crystal is discussed. Initial measurements yielded a deflection efficiency of 0.34 mrad/kV and suggest potential for more than an order of magnitude improvement. By depositing the waveguide directly onto the electrooptical crystal, a rugged miniature device that has the potential for high-speed operation and an angular deflection efficiency equal to or higher than that of currently available bulk devices can be fabricated. In addition to the strict tolerances on the coating thickness, the deposited films must have extremely low losses, a high refractive index, and be resistant to environmental effects. >
Earliest mechanical evidence of cross-bridge activity after stimulation of single skeletal muscle fibers

The stiffness of single fibers from frog skeletal muscle was measured by the application of small 2-kHz sinusoidal length oscillations during twitch and tetanic contractions at a range of initial sarcomere lengths. The earliest mechanical signs of activation were a fall in tension (latency relaxation) and a rise in stiffness. The earliest stiffness increase and the earliest tension fall occurred simultaneously at all sarcomere lengths. This suggests a cross-bridge origin for the latency relaxation. The lead of stiffness over tension seen during the rise of tension was substantially established during the latent period. Reducing the size of the twitch by reducing calcium release with D-600 (methoxyverapamil) reduced the latency relaxation and the stiffness development during latency much less than it reduced the twitch tension. For very small twitches the peak of the stiffness response occurred during the latent period and the times of onset of both latency relaxation and stiffness rise were delayed, but remained coincident. This suggests a strong connection between the latency relaxation and the rise of stiffness during the latent period, whereas the connection between these events and positive tension generation appears to be less strong.
Intravenous infusion of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in a patient with multiple myeloma and myeloma kidney: A case study

We have recently shown significant renoprotective effects with the administration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in models of myeloma kidney. PACAP markedly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines stimulated by immunoglobulin light chains in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells and in the kidneys of rats infused with myeloma light chains. PACAP was also shown to suppress the proliferation of human kappa and lambda light chain-secreting multiple myeloma-derived cells. In this case study, an 81-year-old male patient with active multiple myeloma and myeloma kidney was infused intravenously with synthetic human PACAP38 at a rate of 4 pmol/kg/min for 120 min. The continuous infusion increased the level of PACAP38 in blood, with a plateau at about 0.2 nM during the infusion. The level of PACAP in the blood rapidly declined after the cessation of administration with a half-life of about 5-10 min. The continuous infusion did not significantly alter the basal glucose level, blood gases or blood pressure. There was a large reduction in free lambda light chains in urine after the start of the treatment with PACAP. These studies show that PACAP can be safely used in humans and suggest that it could be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma and myeloma kidney.
Contact Mechanics in Low Plasticity Burnishing of Biomedical Magnesium-Calcium Alloy

Magnesium-Calcium (Mg-Ca) alloys are promising biomedical materials in manufacturing biodegradable orthopedic fixation implants. Low plastic burnishing (LPB) has emerged as an enabling manufacturing technique to produce superior surface integrity of orthopedic implants to increase corrosion resistance of Mg-Ca implants. The basic understanding on contact mechanics between burnishing ball and the workpiece is essential to understand process mechanics. The contact mechanics is further complicated by normal force reduction due to hydraulic pressure loss, the penetration depth, and elastic recovery. In this study, the measured rolling force shows maximum 23% reduction compared with the theoretical value. A 2D axisymmetric, semi-infinite FEM model has been developed to predict the amount of elastic recovery after burnishing. The dynamic mechanical behavior of the material is modeled using a user material subroutine of the internal state variable plasticity model. The simulated dent geometry agrees with the measured data in terms of dent profile and depth. Acoustic emission (AE) process monitoring signals are recorded and the likely correlation with predicted residual stress, plastic strain, and temperature distributions are studied to obtain an in-process monitoring tool.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Spares stocking policies for repairable items with dependent repair times

This paper analyzes the problem of determining desirable spares inventory levels for repairable items with dependent repair times. The problem is important for repairable products such as aircraft engines which can have very large investment in spares inventory levels. While existing models can be used to determine optimal inventory spares levels when repair times are independent, the practical considerations of limited repair shop capacity and prioritized shop dispatching rules combine to make repair times not independent of one another. In this research a simulation model of a limited capacity repair facility with prioritized scheduling is used to explore a variety of heuristic approaches to the spares stocking decision. The heuristics are also compared with use of a model requiring independent repair times (even though that assumption is not valid here). The results show that even when repair time dependencies are present, the performance of a model which assumes independent repair times is quite good.
Interaction of γ-glutamyltransferase from human tissues with insolubilized lectins

We have characterized the binding of γ-glutamyltransferase to three insolubilized lectins. Optimal binding was achieved in 2 hours at 25°C for concanavalin A and at 4°C for ricinus communis agglutinin 120 and wheat germ agglutinin, and was also a function of the ratio of lectin protein to γ-glutamyltransferase protein. The interaction of γ-glutamyltransferase with these three lectins is specific, and release of bound enzyme by carbohydrates follows the same general order of specificity previously observed for the competition between mono- or polysaccharides for the lectin carbohydrate binding sites. The binding of trypsin-solubilized liver γ-glutamyl-transferase to the three insolubilized lectins was virtually identical to that of detergent solubilized enzyme. We propose, therefore, that the release by proteolytic enzymes, of γ-glutamyltransferase from plasma membrane matrix does not significantly alter its carbohydrate structure. We obtained great differences in binding to the three lectins between the liver, kidney, pancreatic and duodenal isoenzymes of γ-glutamyltransferase. From this data we conclude that carbohydrate content and topography are important distinguishing features of γ-glutamyltransferase isoenzymes.
Toward New Images of Policing: Herman Goldstein's Problem-oriented Policing

In April of 1979, Herman Goldstein authored "Improving Policing: A Problem Oriented Approach" in Crime and Delinquency, a publication of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.' As journals go, Crime and Delinquency has not been high on the traditional reading list of police leaders, executives, or officers, although it is widely consumed by juvenile justice professionals and criminal justice academicians. "Improving Policing" wasn't even the lead article in the issue; it was the last. Although its influence was relatively modest in criminal justice professional and academic circles, the article diffused through policing with unbelievable speed. Part of its rapid diffusion was due to Goldstein's stature in policing: From his early work with the American Bar Foundation's Survey of Crimi-
Comparison of two-quantum-cluster approximations

We provide microscopic diagrammatic derivations of the molecular coherent potential approximation (MCA) and dynamical cluster approximation (DCA) and show that both are $\ensuremath{\Phi}$ derivable. The MCA (DCA) maps the lattice onto a self-consistently embedded cluster with open (periodic) boundary conditions, and therefore violates (preserves) the translational symmetry of the original lattice. As a consequence of the boundary conditions, the MCA (DCA) converges slowly (quickly) with corrections $\mathcal{O}{(1/L}_{c})$ $[\mathcal{O}{(1/L}_{c}^{2})],$ where ${L}_{c}$ is the linear size of the cluster. These analytical results are demonstrated numerically for the one-dimensional symmetric Falicov-Kimball model.
Assessment of bias in experimentally measured diffusion tensor imaging parameters using SIMEX

Diffusion tensor imaging enables in vivo investigation of tissue cytoarchitecture through parameter contrasts sensitive to water diffusion barriers at the micrometer level. Parameters are derived through an estimation process that is susceptible to noise and artifacts. Estimated parameters (e.g., fractional anisotropy) exhibit both variability and bias relative to the true parameter value estimated from a hypothetical noise-free acquisition. Herein, we present the use of the simulation and extrapolation (SIMEX) approach for post hoc assessment of bias in a massively univariate imaging setting and evaluate the potential of a SIMEX-based bias correction. Using simulated data with known truth models, spatially varying fractional anisotropy bias error maps are evaluated on two independent and highly differentiated case studies. The stability of SIMEX and its distributional properties are further evaluated on 42 empirical diffusion tensor imaging datasets. Using gradient subsampling, an empirical experiment with a known true outcome is designed and SIMEX performance is compared to the original estimator. With this approach, we find SIMEX bias estimates to be highly accurate offering significant reductions in parameter bias for individual datasets and greater accuracy in averaged population-based estimates. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A thermodynamic description of the Al–Ca–Zn ternary system

Abstract A comprehensive thermodynamic database of the Al–Ca–Zn ternary system is presented for the first time. Critical assessment of the experimental data and re-optimization of the binary Al–Zn and Al–Ca systems have been performed. The optimized model parameters of the third binary system, Ca–Zn, are taken from the previous assessment of the Mg–Ca–Zn system by the same authors. All available as well as reliable experimental data both for the thermodynamic properties and phase boundaries are reproduced within experimental error limits. In the present assessment, the modified quasichemical model in the pair approximation is used for the liquid phase and Al_FCC phase of the Al–Zn system to account for the presence of the short-range ordering properly. Two ternary compounds reported by most of the research works are considered in the present calculation. The liquidus projections and vertical sections of the ternary systems are also calculated, and the invariant reaction points are predicted using the constructed database.
Effect of Protein Extracts of Neural Plate Plus Chordamesoderm on Presumptive Epidermis.

SummaryProtein extracts of the neural plate plus underlying chordamesoderm induce the presumptive epidermis of the gastrula to form neural tubes. However no differences were obtained in the structure of the neural tubes which were induced by extracts of anterior as compared with posterior regions of the neural plate and underlying chordamesoderm. Preparations of the anterior and posterior regions of the neural plate and underlying chordamesoderm which were killed by freezing and subsequent drying induced neural tubes in the explanted presumptive epidermis of the gastrula. Quantitative differences in the frequency of induction were obtained with the posterior neural plate and underlying chordamesoderm inducing with the greatest frequency.
Cloning and chromosomal localization of a human endothelin ETA receptor

A cDNA clone encoding a human endothelin receptor was isolated from a placenta cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence of the clone is 94% identical to the bovine endothelin ETA receptor and represents the human homologue. The human endothelin ETA receptor gene was localized to chromosome 4 by analysis of its segregation pattern in rodent-human hybrids.
Screening for novel biocatalysts

Abstract This review attempts to demonstrate the importance of goal-orientated screening for new biocatalysts. Examples of enzymes and microorganisms that have been developed and that have acquired commercial applications are described so as to illustrate the technological potential of biocatalysts. A survey of screening techniques and recently reported examples of screening from food, chemical, pharmaceutical and waste disposal applications etc. are also presented to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for generating new biocatalysts. An appreciation of some of the difficulties involved, the achievements of Japanese researchers and some examples of the cornucopia of largely unrecognized and potentially valuable microbial activities are also given. An increased effort in screening would have the following benefits: an increased range of biocatalysts with different enzyme activities would be available and more biocatalysts with improved characteristics, suitable for use under industrial conditions, such as resistance to elevated temperatures, extremes of pH and organic solvents would be discovered. Secondly the manpower and other resources required to carry out screening programmes would be reduced, for instance by developing automated techniques. Thirdly, screening procedures would be made much more accessible to non-specialists. Fourthly, improved efforts and expertise in screening would supplement other emerging techniques such as protein engineering. The development of selective, non-random, goal-orientated screening techniques, methods of evaluating biocatalyst performance under operational conditions, and an approach that is more orientated towards commercially desirable goals are essential if these objectives are to be achieved. Screening of naturally occurring microorganisms still appears to be the best way to obtain new strains and/or enzymes for commercial applications. However, two major problems appear to exist. Firstly in identifying applications that are technically feasible and that have sufficient commercial potential to justify the research and development required to generate a new commercially viable biocatalyst and secondly the relatively small number of scientists outside Japan with skill and experience in screening for biocatalysts.
Id1 expression is transcriptionally regulated in radial growth phase melanomas.

Id genes have been demonstrated to be upregulated in a wide variety of human malignancies and their expression has been correlated with disease prognosis; however, little is known about the mechanisms of Id gene activation in tumors. We have previously shown that the helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Id1, is highly expressed in primary human melanomas during the radial growth phase and that Id1 is a transcriptional repressor of the familial melanoma gene CDKN2A. Here we use a series of melanoma cell lines that recapitulate the phenotypic characteristics of melanomas at varying stages of malignant progression to evaluate the expression levels of Id1 in this model system and determine the mechanism of Id1 dysregulation in these tumor cells. We find elevated protein levels of Id1 to be present consistently in radial growth phase tumor cells in accordance with our primary tumor data. Id1 transcript levels were also found to be elevated in these radial growth phase melanoma cells without any appreciable evidence of gene amplification and Id1 promoter activity was found to correlate with Id expression levels. We therefore conclude that Id1 expression is primarily regulated at the transcriptional level in radial growth phase melanomas and expect that therapies that target Id1 gene expression may be useful in the treatment of Id-associated malignancies. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Separation by gas-liquid chromatography of silylated derivatives of some sulfo- and slenoamino acids and their oxidation products

Abstract Silylated derivatives of cystine and methionine were resolved from their selenium analogs. Peak areas area a linear function of amino acid concentration; however, detector response to sulfur compounds was about a third greater than to selenium compounds. Retention times and partial resolution of the following compounds were also obtained:l methionine sulfoxide, methionine sulfone, cysteine, cysteinesulfinic acid, taurine and cysteic acid.
Taking a fresh look at routine screening for intimate partner violence: what can we do about what we know?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as “any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship.”1 Its role as a major public health issue affecting both men and women, regardless of social class, sexual orientation, or racial/ethnic group, was reinforced by the recently released population-based 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.2 Results indicate that women have a lifetime IPV prevalence rate of 29%, with 1 in 7 injured by an intimate partner. With a lifetime prevalence rate of 10% (1 in 25 injured as a result of IPV),2 men are significantly less likely than women to experience physical or sexual IPV.3 While less is known about the long-term impact of IPV among male victims, both male and female victims of IPV experience high rates of adverse physical, social, emotional, and mental health outcomes.2-5 Being a victim of IPV is strongly associated with a host of behavioral risks such as sexually transmitted diseases, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs and is linked to all other forms of violence.1 As a significant contributor to health, social, and economic disparities, IPV jeopardizes the fabric of families and transcends all levels of socioeconomic status. Due to high rates of health care utilization by both victims and perpetrators of IPV,6,7 health care settings have abundant opportunities for early identification, intervention, and secondary prevention of IPV—but have consistently failed in these endeavors.
CEREBRAL CORTICAL OXYGEN UPTAKE STIMULATING FACTOR FROM CEREBRAL CORTICAL SLICES.

SummaryIncubation of rat cortical slices for 2 hours in a non-substrated phosphate saline medium at room temperature, produces an “activating” medium which is capable of stimulating the oxygen uptake of freshly cut cortical slices when subsequently determined in it. The nature of the activating material is unknown. The presence of glucose (11.5 mm/l) or glucose plus additional substrates (Krebs III medium(4)) in the incubation medium masks the stimulation. Neither an increase in the temperature of incubation to 37.34°C, possibly allowing more “activating” material to diffuse into the medium, nor the presence of calcium in the incubation medium which would partially inhibit the respiration of brain tissue was sufficient to allow a stimulation to be observed in the presence of added substrates.
Precision spectroscopy of atomic mercury in the deep ultraviolet based on fourth-harmonic generation from an optically pumped external-cavity semiconductor laser

We demonstrate tunable single-frequency operation and precision spectroscopy of the 61S 0 –63P 1 mercury transition (254 nm) utilizing fourth-harmonic generation of an optically pumped external-cavity semiconductor laser. We furthermore characterize the intrinsically narrow linewidth of the source.
Effects of 2‐amino‐4‐phosphonobutyric acid on cells in the distal layers of the tiger salamander's retina.

1. We studied the effects of 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) on the response properties of rods, horizontal cells and bipolar cells in the isolated, perfused retina of the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum. A concentration of 100 microM was found to be sufficient to elicit maximal effects. 2. Rods hyperpolarized slightly upon exposure to 100 microM-APB and their response amplitudes were slightly reduced. The amplitude of the cone-generated component of the rod's response to 700 nm light was not significantly affected by APB. 3. Horizontal cells hyperpolarized by 2-5 mV upon exposure to 100 microM-APB. The rod-driven component of the horizontal cell response increased in amplitude while the cone-driven component decreased in amplitude. APB thus causes an increase in voltage gain between rods and horizontal cells and a decrease in cone/horizontal cell gain. These findings can be explained in terms of an APB-induced reduction in transmitter release from the cones. 4. APB at a concentration of 100 microM caused an increase in the length constant of the horizontal cell syncytium. Our analysis shows this to be due primarily to a 50% reduction in the coupling impedance between the cells of the syncytium. 5. The effects of APB on off-centre bipolar cells were qualitatively similar to those on horizontal cells. APB increased the amplitudes of rod-driven responses and reduced those of cone-driven responses. The length constants, both of the receptive field centre and of the surround, were increased and the strength of the surround relative to the centre was reduced by about 20%. 6. APB abolished the depolarizing light responses of the receptive field centres of on-centre bipolar cells. A hyperpolarizing response remained whose spatial properties were similar to those of the receptive field surround. We believe this response to reflect a direct (feedforward) input to on-centre bipolar cells from horizontal cells.
Comparison of broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, broadband UVA and UVA1 on activation of apoptotic pathways in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background/purpose: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is animportant therapy for immune-mediated cutaneousdiseases. Activation of early apoptotic pathways mayplay a role in the clinical effectiveness. Different UVwavelengths have different efﬁcacy for various dis-eases, but it remains unclear whether the ability toinduce apoptosis differs with respect to the wavelength,and whether they induce apoptosis through the samemechanism. The aim of this study is to analyze theeffects of different UV wavelengths that are usedclinically on normal human peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells (PBMCs).Methods: PBMCs were treated with UV-light sourcesbroadband UVB, narrowband UVB, broadband UVAand UVA1. Initiation of apoptosis was assessed byﬂow cytometry by staining–treated cells for activatedcaspases. Immunoblots were performed to measure forcleaved caspase-3, -8, -9, cytochrome c, Bcl 2-inter-acting domain and poly-(ADP ribose) polymerasecleavage.Results: We demonstrate that all the UV radiationsources induced caspase activation in a dose-andtime-dependent manner. Components of both the ex-trinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis were acti-vated by all of the UV wavelengths tested, but differedin the level of energy needed for activation.Conclusion: The greater effectiveness of UVB oninitiation of apoptotic pathway suggests that apoptosismay play a role in the clinical efﬁcacy of UVB-responsive inﬂammatory cutaneous diseases.Keywords: apoptosis; caspase; lymphocytes; peripheralblood mononuclear cells; ultraviolet light.
Asymmetry of skeletal effects of Dominant hemimelia.

BACKGROUND: Dominant hemimelia (Dh) is a dominant mutation that arose spontaneously in mice; Dh animals exhibit reduced numbers of lumbar vertebrae and preaxial hindlimb defects. Absence of spleen occurs in both Dh/+ and Dh/Dh animals. This study was undertaken to characterize asymmetry of skeletal defects in the Dh mouse, specifically hindlimb asymmetries in association with axial defects. METHODS: A total of 29 Dh/+ and 100 +/+ fetuses (gestational day [GD] 18) were identified by phenotype and linked DNA and their skeletons were analyzed. RESULTS: The results revealed an asymmetry of hindlimb skeletal defects in Dh/+ animals. In +/+ fetuses, the left and right tibia were symmetrical with 99.0% of the animals possessing 6 lumbar vertebrae. However, Dh/+ fetuses showed asymmetry in length of left and right tibia and a reduction to 5 lumbar vertebrae in 86.2% of animals. There was a range from mild to severe asymmetry as evidenced by direct comparison of the length of the left to the right tibia of each animal. Tibial shortening was greater on the left than the right in 65.5% of Dh/+ fetuses; only 20.7% had symmetrical tibia. Oligodactyly, defined as absence of the first or second toe, was similarly more frequent on the left. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetry is characteristic of many human limb malformations, although analysis of the molecular basis is difficult. Therefore, Dh/+ mice, which exhibit reduced numbers of lumbar vertebrae, asymmetric hindlimb defects, and complete absence of spleen, provide an important model for studying the relationship between axial patterning and asymmetric skeletal defects.
A perturbation solution for non-linear vibration of uniformly curved pipes conveying fluid

Abstract The first-order non-linear interactions between the pipe structure and the flowing fluid are considered to formulate the governing equations of motion for the in-plane vibration of a circular-arc pipe containing flowing fluid. The forces and moments induced in a pipe element by the flowing fluid are analyzed as functions of the instantaneous local curvature of the pipe. The flow field is assumed to be one-dimensional, incompressible and of uniform flow, and to remain independent of pipe motion. For a fixed-end circular-arc pipe with arbitrary arc angle, the non-linear governing equations are solved by the method of multiple scales in conjunction with the Bubnov-Galerkin method. The non-linear solutions indicate that the vibrational behavior of the system can differ substantially from that predicted by a linear analysis.
Can Economic Concepts Be Learned and Remembered: A Comparison of Elementary Students

AbstractThis study compared the learning and retention of the scarcity and opportunity cost concepts by students in Grades 1, 3, and 6. All students experienced concept lessons and completed immediate and delayed posttests on their understanding of the concepts. Data from posttests and planned comparisons indicated that both concepts were learned and retained at a high level of mastery by third- and sixth-grade students. First-grade students initially learned both concepts at a high level of mastery, although retention was more problematic for them, especially with respect to opportunity cost. All students experienced more difficulty generating original stories and pictures related to opportunity cost as opposed to scarcity; generating capacity increased with grade level. A majority of students in Grades 3 and 6 remembered the scarcity label, whereas they forgot the opportunity cost label. A majority of first-grade students forgot both labels, but scarcity was remembered better than opportunity cost. Resu...
Recommendations for Hospice Care to Terminally Ill Cancer Patients: A Phenomenological Study of Oncologists' Experiences

The aim of this exploratory study was to better understand oncologists' experiences and their perceptions of hospice care as an end-of-life treatment choice for terminally ill cancer patients. To describe this experience, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted using phenomenological methods with nine oncologists. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) feelings of discomfort and relief, (b) being different from others, (c) experience with nonhospice patients, and (d) factors influencing the decision to recommend hospice. Future research and a flexible interdisciplinary practice model are suggested to better assist with end-of-life care decision making and recommendations for hospice care with oncologists and their terminally ill cancer patients are presented.
Communication Strategies of Adults with Severe Disabilities: Supporting Self-Determination.

Individuals with significant developmental disabilities are often considered by others to be dependent and incompetent. They are frequently defined by their deficits rather than their abilities. New concepts such as self-determination have challenged researchers and service providers to think differently about the abilities of individuals considered to have severe intellectual disabilities. Analysis of communicative events between individuals with and without severe disabilities provides evidence that individuals who are often considered least able to do indeed communicate, asserting control over their environments and activities. Careful attention to communication reveals that behaviors that on the surface appear to be random, maladaptive, or challenging are purposeful, even useful. The author proposes that embedded in each communicative act, there is a drive toward self-determination, but that in order for self-determination to be actualized, communication partners must learn to apprehend, and respond a...
Language and the city in Roy Fisher's poetry

(1986). Language and the city in Roy Fisher's poetry. English Studies: Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 234-249.
Surface functionalization of silicon nanoparticles produced by laser-driven pyrolysis of silane followed by HF-HNO3 etching.

CO2 laser induced pyrolysis of silane was used to produce silicon nanoparticles with an average diameter as small as 5 nm at high rates (up to 200 mg/h). Etching these particles with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and nitric acid (HNO3) reduces their size and passivates their surface such that they exhibit bright visible photoluminescence (PL). This paper describes the attachment of organic molecules to hydrogen-terminated and hydroxyl-terminated surfaces of these nanoparticles. Stable particle dispersions in various solvents were obtained by treatment of hydrogen-terminated surfaces with octadecene or undecylenic acid and by treatment of hydroxyl-terminated surfaces with octadecyltrimethoxysilane. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the surface-functionalized particles were well dispersed and crystalline. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the expected reactions of the organic molecules with the particle surfaces. Photoluminescence measurements showed that surface treatment significantly stabilize...
History, community milieu, and Christian-Muslim differentials in contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa

In the globalization discourse, Christianity and Islam are often construed as representing two traditions that are conflicted and incompatible. This study engages the "clash of civilizations" discourse by examining Muslim-Christian differentials in the use of modern contraception in Nigeria, where Christians have a much higher contraceptive prevalence, and Tanzania, where Muslims are somewhat more likely to use contraception. Employing data from six nationally representative surveys conducted in the two countries between 1990 and 2004 and multilevel logistic regression, we find that the effects of religion remain strong but operate largely through the community religious milieu. Contraceptive use tends to be highest in religiously mixed areas, but the "optimal" religious makeup differs between the two nations, reflecting the historically shaped configurations of their religious expressions and politics.
Decreased anal sphincter lacerations associated with restrictive episiotomy use.

Objective To determine whether restrictive episiotomy use was associated with decreases in anal sphincter lacerations and the risk of anal sphincter laceration attributable to episiotomy. Study design This was a retrospective database study. Rates of episiotomy, anal sphincter laceration (third- or fourth-degree tear), and other confounding variables were compared among vaginal deliveries before (1999) and after (2002) restrictive episiotomy use was implemented at our institution. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of anal sphincter laceration that was due to episiotomy and other variables. Results The episiotomy rate decreased 56% (37% to 17%, P P P P =.02, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio of anal sphincter laceration attributable to episiotomy decreased 55%, from 6.5 (95% CI: 3.8, 11.1) to 2.9 (95% CI: 1.7, 5.0), between 1999 and 2002. Conversely, the adjusted odds ratios of anal sphincter laceration attributable to the other independent risk factors all increased or remained the same: operative vaginal delivery, which increased from 4.4 (95% CI: 2.7, 6.9) to 6.3 (95% CI: 3.6 11.1); nulliparity, from 2.9 (95% CI: 1.8, 4.8) to 2.9 (95% CI: 1.4, 5.9); macrosomia, from 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1, 3.4) to 2.6 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.4); and prolonged second stage, from 2.0 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.0) to 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.7). Conclusion With restrictive episiotomy use, the episiotomy rate, anal sphincter laceration rate, and risk of anal sphincter laceration attributable to episiotomy were all reduced by approximately 50%.
Adaptive Mode Suppression Scheme for an Aeroelastic Airbreathing Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle

This paper presents an adaptive mode suppression scheme that is simulated on a longitudinal model of a generic airbreathing hypersonic flight vehicle. An aerodynamically optimized vehicle model is used which has a long slender configuration and flexible modes that are slow enough to get excited during normal operation and therefore pose a control issue. These elastic modes maybe cause adverse aeroservoelastic effects which can degrade the performance or even cause instabilities. The frequency and damping ratio of the flexible modes can be uncertain and also vary during flight due to atmospheric heating. A control scheme is presented which incorporates an adaptive notch filter which can accurately track and suppress an unknown or changing flexible mode online. The adaptive scheme is then compared to a non-adaptive scheme in simulations using an aeroelastic airbreathing hypersonic cruise vehicle model that has been previously developed.
Characterization of neuropeptide F and its receptor from the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.

Abstract The genome of Anopheles gambiae contains sequences encoding a neuropeptide F (Ang-NPF) and NPF receptor (Ang-NPFR) related to the neuropeptide Y signaling family. cDNAs for each were cloned and sequenced. Ang-NPFR was stably expressed for radioligand binding analysis. Ang-NPF exhibited high affinity (IC 50 ∼ 3 nM) membrane binding; NPFs from Aedes aegypti (Aea-NPF) and Drosophila melanogaster (Drm-NPF) were less potent, with the rank order: Ang-NPF > Aea-NPF > Drm-NPF > Drm-NPF 8–36 . RT-PCR analysis revealed Ang-NPF and Ang-NPFR transcripts in all life stages. Ang-NPF and Ang-NPFR may be strategically positioned for signaling in relation to nutritional status in the African malaria mosquito.
An algorithm for determining the decision thresholds in a distributed detection problem

A decentralized binary hypothesis-testing problem is considered in which a number of subordinate decision-makers (DMs) transmit their opinions based on their data to a primary decisionmaker who, in turn, combines the opinions with his own data to make the final team decision. The necessary conditions for the optimal decision rules of the DMs are derived. A nonlinear Gauss-Seidel iterative algorithm is developed for solving the decision thresholds of a person-by-person optimal strategy, and its monotonic convergence is established. The algorithm is illustrated with several examples, and implications for distributed organizational design are pointed out. >
On the discriminability of keystroke feature vectors used in fixed text keystroke authentication

Heterogeneous and aggregate vectors are the two widely used feature vectors in fixed text keystroke authentication. In this paper, we address the question ''Which vectors, heterogeneous, aggregate, or a combination of both, are more discriminative and why?'' We accomplish this in three ways - (1) by providing an intuitive example to illustrate how aggregation of features inherently reduces discriminability; (2) by formulating ''discriminability'' as a non-parametric estimate of Bhattacharya distance, we show theoretically that the discriminability of a heterogeneous vector is higher than an aggregate vector; and (3) by conducting user recognition experiments using a dataset containing keystrokes from 33 users typing a 32-character reference text, we empirically validate our theoretical analysis. To compare the discriminability of heterogeneous and aggregate vectors with different combinations of keystroke features, we conduct feature selection analysis using three methods: (1) ReliefF, (2) correlation based feature selection, and (3) consistency based feature selection. Results of feature selection analysis reinforce the findings of our theoretical analysis.
Analysis of three-dimensional heat transfer in micro-channel heat sinks

In this study, the three-dimensional fluid flow and heat transfer in a rectangular micro-channel heat sink are analyzed numerically using water as the cooling fluid. The heat sink consists of a 1-cm 2 silicon wafer. The micro-channels have a width of 57 lm and a depth of 180 lm, and are separated by a 43 lm wall. A numerical code based on the finite difference method and the SIMPLE algorithm is developed to solve the governing equations. The code is carefully validated by comparing the predictions with analytical solutions and available experimental data. For the microchannel heat sink investigated, it is found that the temperature rise along the flow direction in the solid and fluid regions can be approximated as linear. The highest temperature is encountered at the heated base surface of the heat sink immediately above the channel outlet. The heat flux and Nusselt number have much higher values near the channel inlet and vary around the channel periphery, approaching zero in the corners. Flow Reynolds number affects the length of the flow developing region. For a relatively high Reynolds number of 1400, fully developed flow may not be achieved inside the heat sink. Increasing the thermal conductivity of the solid substrate reduces the temperature at the heated base surface of the heat sink, especially near the channel outlet. Although the classical fin analysis method provides a simplified means to modeling heat transfer in micro-channel heat sinks, some key assumptions introduced in the fin method deviate significantly from the real situation, which may compromise the accuracy of this method. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.