cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crisis del ser en la sociedad contemporánea. Crisis of the self in contemporary society.

Crisis del ser en la sociedad contemporanea. Crisis of the self in contemporary society. Resumen Articulo presenta una corta reflexion sobre los aspectos espirituales y psicologicos del ser humano en la sociedad contemporanea. El siglo XX fue para el hombre una epoca de una progresiva caida de ideales y puntos de referencia, de amparo y apoyo, que aseguraban una relativa seguridad existencial para el ser humano. Entre estos podemos marcar tres grandes: la muerte de Dios proclamada por Nietzsche, la muerte de la razon, advertida por Albert Camus y, finalmente, la muerte del otro, anunciada por Lipovetsky. En estos momentos, mas que nunca, la humanidad precisa del surgimiento de una conciencia que trascienda la multiplicidad de los fenomenos producidos por el pensar intelectual egocentrista. El ser humano necesita aprender a enfrentar la incertidumbre del saber y de la existencia, sin caer en aferramiento fanatico a las explicaciones teoricas y sin perder el horizonte de lo humano oculto por la relatividad de los discursos consumistas e individualistas de la sociedad. Palabras clave: crisis espiritual, vacio existencial, fisica cuantica. Abstract Article presents a short reflection on the spiritual and psychological aspects of human beings in contemporary society. The twentieth century was a time of man a progressive fall of ideals and benchmarks for protection and support, which ensured a relative existential security for humans. Among these we can make big three: the death of God proclaimed by Nietzsche, the death of reason, warned by Albert Camus and eventually death of the other, announced by Lipovetsky. Right now, more than ever, humanity needs the emergence of a consciousness that transcends the multiplicity of phenomena produced by the egocentric intellectual thinking. People need to learn to deal with the uncertainty of knowledge and existence without falling into fanatical theoretical explanations grasping without losing the horizon of humanity hidden by the relativity of consumerist and individualistic discourses of society. Key words: spiritual crisis, existential vacuum, quantum physics.
Assertions in end-user software engineering: a think-aloud study

There has been little research on end-user program development beyond the programming phase. Devising ways to address additional phases may be critical, because research shows that over one-half of the programs written by end users, at least in the widely used spreadsheet paradigm, contain errors. In this paper, we investigate whether providing end users with integrated support for requirement specifications in the form of assertions can help them reason about, recognize, and remove errors in their spreadsheets. Our think-aloud study revealed that end users can indeed use assertions to find and correct errors as they work with their spreadsheets, and also revealed some surprising tendencies and biases about testing.
Energy-mass spectrum of Yang-Mills bosons is infinite and discrete

Non-perturbative antinormal quantization of relativisti c Yang‐Mills fields with a compact semisimple gauge group entails an infini te dis
Reflectance of Aluminum Overcoated with MgF 2 and LiF in the Wavelength Region from 1600 Å to 300 Å at Various Angles of Incidence

Since the discovery that Al overcoated with MgF2 or LiF produces high reflectances to wavelengths as short as 1150 A and 1000 A, respectively, these coatings have been used extensively in vacuum ultraviolet instruments in the wavelength region where their reflectance is high. If the instrument is intended to cover wavelengths shorter than the two given above, usually either Pt or Ir is used, with a loss of speed at the longer wavelengths. This paper presents reflectance data showing that fluoride-overcoated Al can be useful to wavelengths as short as 500 A. Measurements were made from 1600 A to about 300 A at normal, 35°, and 85° angles of incidence, angles used in normal, Seya, and grazing incidence spectrometers, respectively. These measurements show that from the boundary of the high reflectance region to 500 A, the reflectance at normal and 35° depends on the thickness of the fluoride coating and can be as high as 24% at 800 A for a MgF2 thickness of 150 A. For shorter wavelengths, the reflectance shows a decreasing thickness dependence and at 304 A is very low—about 1%. At grazing incidence, the reflectance shows some thickness dependence from 1500 A to about 1000 A, but toward shorter wavelengths the dependence disappears and the reflectance increases slowly to about 80% at 500 A. In addition to the reflectance measurements, polarization effects are discussed.
Sensor Failure Detection in Flexible Structures Using Modal Observers

A procedure is developed to detect sensor failures in flexible structures by means of observers designed at the modal level. Estimates of the modal coordinates generated by the modal observers are used to estimate the system output at the sensor' locations. These estimates of the system output are then compared with the sensors' measurements to detect failure. It is shown that, when the observer gains are properly selected, failure of a certain sensor primarily affects the estimate of that sensor, And it affects the estimates of the operational sensors much less. This makes it possible to detect multiple sensor failures
Production of an extracellular copper-binding compound by the heterotrophic marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus

Abstract The heterotrophic marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus was shown to produce extracellular copper-binding compound (s) when exposed to copper in a seawater medium. Fractionation and analysis of copper, and methionine incorporation in culture supernatant fractions showed that the copper-binding compound coeluted with material which was radiolabeled with 35 S methionine. This suggests that the copper-binding compound may be proteinaceous. Analysis of label incorporation from 14 C glucose into the fraction containing the copper-binding compound indicated that it was produced actively by the cells during recovery from copper toxicity, and was not present because of non-specific release by lysed bacterial cells. Concentrated supernatants from control and copper-challenged cultures contained two compounds which could be marginally resolved by size exclusion HPLC (26 kD and 28 kD), and which were produced at about a ten-fold higher level in copper-challenged cultures than in controls. These data indicate that the bacteria respond to toxic copper levels by excretion of a ca. 28 kD compound (s), which serves to detoxify copper in the medium by formation of organic copper complexes. The data suggest a potential role for macromolecules excreted by heterotrophic bacteria in control of copper ion activity in seawater. The production of copper-complexing compounds in response to copper represents a mechanism through which bacteria may directly influence the speciation of metal ions in seawater.
Proposal for Obtaining Ultrasmall Ferromagnetic-Resonance Linewidths

It is shown that it should be possible to reduce the dominant two-magnon linewidth well below the smallest value obtained to date by choosing the radius $R$ and thickness $S$ of a thin film of ferromagnetic insulator such that there are no modes degenerate with the main-resonance mode. For a sufficiently thin sample ($S\ensuremath{\lesssim}1\ensuremath{\mu}$) the frequencies of the exchange modes are well above that of the main-resonance mode, and for a sufficiently small aspect ratio ($\frac{2R}{S}\ensuremath{\lesssim}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$) the low-order magnetostatic modes are also well resolved. In the limit of no two-magnon scattering, the resonance linewidth of yttrium iron garnet at 9.3 GHz approaches 0.2 Oe at 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, or a few mOe at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.
Analysis of a mixed mode fracture specimen: the asymmetric double cantilever beam

An asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) is a simple but effective specimen for the measurement of polymer/polymer and polymer/non-polymer bimaterial interface fracture toughness. In order to characterize fully the bimaterial interface strength, and to control the crack trajectory, the critical energy release rate, G c, and the phase angle, ψ, of the applied stress field as functions of loading and geometry of the specimen should be obtained. For most practical cases, ψ has to be evaluated numerically. In this work, a boundary element analysis is carried out to obtain G and ψ for the ADCB specimen at different material and geometry combinations. An expression for the energy release rate, G, based on Kanninen's beam on elastic foundation model is compared with the numerical results. Limitations on the use of the ADCB specimen are also discussed.
Ethanol Inhibits Clearance of Brain Serotonin by a Serotonin Transporter-Independent Mechanism

Brain serotonin (5-HT) modulates the neural and behavioral effects of ethanol in a manner that remains poorly understood. Here we show that treatment with physiologically relevant (i.e., moderately intoxicating) doses of ethanol inhibits clearance of 5-HT from extracellular fluid in the mouse hippocampus. This finding demonstrates, in vivo, a key molecular mechanism by which ethanol modulates serotonergic neurotransmission. The 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) is the principle means of 5-HT reuptake in the brain and an obvious candidate mechanism for the effect of ethanol to inhibit 5-HT clearance. However, our second major finding was that genetic inactivation of the 5-HTT in a knock-out mouse not only failed to prevent ethanol-induced inhibition of 5-HT clearance, but actually potentiated this effect. Ethanol-induced inhibition of 5-HT clearance was also potentiated in nonmutant mice by cotreatment with a 5-HTT antagonist. Providing a link with potential behavioral manifestations of this neural phenotype, 5-HTT knock-out mice also exhibited exaggerated sensitivity to behavioral intoxication, as assayed by the sedative/hypnotic effects of ethanol. This clearly demonstrates that the 5-HTT is not necessary for the neural and behavioral effects of ethanol observed herein and that genetic or pharmacological inactivation of the 5-HTT unmasks involvement of other principle mechanisms. These data are intriguing given growing evidence implicating the 5-HTT in the pathophysiology and treatment of alcoholism and neuropsychiatric conditions frequently comorbid with alcoholism, such as depression. The present findings provide new insights into the actions of ethanol on brain function and behavior.
Abstract 208: Low-dose actinomycin D decreases Mcl-1 expression and acts synergistically with ABT-737 to induce apoptosis of SCLC cell lines

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC SCLC is initially a highly chemotherapy-responsive disease but relapse and progressive development of chemotherapy resistance is the rule. Overexpression of pro-survival members of the Bcl-2 family, including Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and Mcl-1 are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis and chemotherapy resistance of SCLC. ABT-737, a BH3-mimetic drug which blocks the function of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, has shown single agent activity in preclinical models of SCLC and enhances the activity of a variety of cytotoxic agents. Low levels of Mcl-1 expression and high levels of Noxa expression have been characterized as markers of sensitivity to ABT-737 in SCLC and other malignancies. We have also noted that Noxa-mediated downregulation of Mcl-1 expression is absent in 4/4 SCLC cell lines examined, suggesting roles for this defect in the pathogenesis of SCLC and in resistance to ABT-737. Because of the short half-life of Mcl-1 mRNA and protein, we studied the effects of combining ABT-737 and actinomycin D, a general transcriptional inhibitor used in the treatment of Wilms tumor, sarcomas, germ cell and trophoblastic tumors. Actinomycin D decreased Mcl-1 expression in a dose-dependent fashion in the low ng/ml range, 3 logs lower than that required for general transcriptional inhibition. While exposure to actinomycin resulted in a cell line-dependent increase in Noxa expression, Noxa was not required for the decrease in Mcl-1 expression, as it occurred in the H209 cell line, which does not express Noxa, as well as the H69, WBA and H526 cell lines which do. Concentrations of actinomycin D from 0.4-4 ng/ml showed single agent activity across a panel of SCLC cell lines in 72 hr MTT viability assays and specifically induced a high grade G2-M cell cycle blockade. When combined with low micromolar doses of ABT-737, near complete loss of viability was seen with combination indices in the 0.5 range, indicating synergy by Chou-Talalay analysis, without a significant effect on MRC-5 pulmonary fibroblasts. In addition to loss of Mcl-1 expression and enhanced Noxa expression, correlates of apoptosis induced by the combination included marked Bid cleavage. Exposure to 4 ng/ml actinomycin was only required for the first 24 hrs of the combined incubation but the presence of ABT-737 was required for the full 72 hrs to see maximum loss of viability and clonogenic potential. This actinomycin exposure mimics a clinically achievable AUC of 100 ng.hr/ml after bolus administration, suggesting the feasibility of combination studies utilizing bolus actinomycin D administration. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 208.
The CD40 ligand. At the center of the immune universe

For several years, the primary function of CD40 ligand (CD40L) has been believed to be in regulation of contact-dependent, CD40-CD40L-mediated signals between B- and T-cells, which are essential for the regulation of thymus-dependent (TD) humoral immune responses. Recently, a flurry of reports indicate that CD40 is expressed by variety of cell types other than B-cells that include dendritic cells, follicular dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. These studies show that CD40-CD40L interactions are important in inflammatory process. For the past few years, through the availability of CD40L-knockout mice, new data have emerged to support the belief that CD40L has many more functions than its role in TD humoral immunity. CD40L-deficient mice have provided significant information towards our understanding of the in vivo role of CD40L. The current picture that emerges indicates that CD40-CD40L interactions mediate many cell-mediated immune responses and T-cell-mediated effector functions that are required for proper functioning of the host defense system. This article focuses on the in vivo role of the CD40L in regulation of cell-mediated effector functions.
Underestimation of dichotic click rates: Results using methods of absolute estimation and constant stimuli

In Experiment 1, Ss made absolute estimates of monotic and dichotically-alternating click rates. In Experiment 2, Ss compared monotic and dichotic rates in a constant-stimuli procedure. Results of both experiments were similar to those obtained with a different method, and reported earlier: relative underestimation of dichotic rates was small at 1/sec, increased rapidly as dichotic rate was increased to 5–10/sec, and then levelled off.
Simultaneous equation estimation based on maximum entropy moments

Abstract A simulation study is made of three k-class estimators based alternatively on conventional sample moments or on maximum entropy (ME) moments. The most promising estimator is LIML based on ME moments which uses all predetermined variables of the system as instrumental variables.
Postnatal differentiation of the ductus deferens, tail of the epididymis, and distal body of the epididymis in goats occurs independently of rete testis fluid

Observations from extratesticular rete-ligated, mature goats indicated that epithelial morphology in the tail of the epididymis can be maintained without any input from testicular fluid (Goyal et al., Acta Anat., 1994;150:127–135). Hence, the objective of this study was to determine whether the tail of the epididymis and/or other regions of the male excurrent ducts can differentiate prior to the appearance of lumen in the seminiferous tubules, which is an indicator for the onset of seminiferous tubular fluid secretion. Based on age and scrotal circumference (SC), 20 male goats were divided into four groups of five animals each: 1–4 weeks (SC, 6.5–7.5 cm), 7–10 weeks (SC, 8.5–11.0 cm), 12–15 weeks (SC, 11.0–14.0 cm), and 15–25 weeks (SC, 16.0–19.0 cm). Tissues were collected from the testis, six regions of the epididymis (proximal, middle and distal head; proximal and distal body; and tail), and the ductus deferens, and were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Changes in epithelial height and cytological features associated with absorption (microvilli, pinocytotic and coated vesicles) and protein secretion (RER, Golgi body) were used as markers for differentiation. Differentiation of all of these features was comparable to that observed in the 15–25-week-old animals in the ductus deferens by ≥1 week, in the tail of the epididymis by ≥7 weeks, in the distal body of the epididymis by ≥12 weeks, and in the proximal body of the epididymis and all three regions of the head of the epididymis by ≥15 weeks. Seminiferous tubules developed lumens between 12 and 15 weeks. In conclusion, epithelial differentiation in the ductus deferens, tail of the epididymis, and distal body of the epididymis follows a time-dependent, spatial, ascending order and is achieved before lumen formation in the seminiferous tubules. Conversely, epithelial differentiation in all three regions of the head and the proximal body of the epididymis occurs simultaneously and after lumen formation in the seminiferous tubules. Anat Rec 254:508–520, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Improving the on-board computing capability of the NASA Multimission Modular Spacecraft

This paper presents the development of onboard computing improvements for NASA's Multimission Modular Spacecraft. The first MMS spacecraft being enhanced by an additional flight computer is the Explorer Platform. The selection process for both the flight hardware (MIL-STD-1750A Co-Processor) and flight software (Ada high level language) are discussed, followed by the lessons learned during the last three years.
“No Fertile Soil for Pathogens”: Rayon, Advertising, and Biopolitics in Late Weimar Germany

Recent research on twentieth-century German history has begun to re-examine the centrality of race as a category of analysis. While not discounting its importance in the shaping and enacting of Nazi policies and practices, race is seen instead as one among many factors leading to the crimes of the Nazi regime. In this paper, the author considers the role consumerist desires and fantasies played in the wider context of the inter-war European fascination with notions of technology, "hygiene," democracy, and modernity. Using advertisements that were created to promote manufactured-fiber (rayon) apparel, this article suggests that continuities across cultures and time periods necessitate a re-evaluation of race as the signal organizing principal. Instead, the author argues that by complicating the intersections between class, science and technology, and an emerging, but troubling, modernity, 1920s rayon advertising offers an especially rich site for analysis of the ways in which biopolitics and nascent consumerism both sold products and constructed ideologies before 1933, and influenced the post-war welfare state.
Rail passenger equipment accidents and the evaluation of crashworthiness strategies

AbstractThe US Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Office of Research and Development has been conducting research into rail equipment crashworthiness. The approach taken in conducting this research has been to review relevant accidents, to identify options for design modifications to improve occupant survivability and to apply analytic tools and testing techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies. Accidents have been grouped into three categories: train-to-train collisions, collisions with objects, such as grade crossing collisions, and derailments and other single-train events. In order to determine the potential effectiveness of improved crashworthiness equipment, computer models have been used to simulate the behaviour of conventional and modified equipment in scenarios based on accidents.
On the displacement boundary-value problem of static linear elasticity theory

Unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Verschiebungsgleichungen der linearen Elastostatik fur isotrope homogene Materialien stark elliptisch sind, haben wir einige globale Extremalprinzipien, ein Reziprozitatstheorem, einen Satz betreffend die dazu verwandte Greensche Abbildung und zwei Mengen von oberen und unteren Grenzen fur die erste Randwertaufgabe hergeleitet.
Real-time Biomechanically-based Muscle Volume Deformation using FEM

This paper presents a voxel-based biomechanical model for muscle deformation using finite element method (FEM) and volume graphics. Hierarchical voxel meshes are reconstructed from filtered segmented muscle images followed by FEM simulation and volume rendering. Physiological muscle force is considered and linear elastic muscle models for both static and dynamic cases are simulated by FEM. Voxel-based wireframe, polygon surface rendering, and volume rendering techniques are applied to show real-time muscle deformation processes as well as realistic animations.
A recursive self-learning pattern classification technique

The problem of classifying samples from a population into one of N classes is considered. Several classification algorithms are investigated, including a nearest mean method and one involving a constant learning parameter. However, the most effective method consists of using a Kalman filter to recursively estimate the vector of probabilities of occurrence for the N classes. The probabilities for the classes conditioned only on the current observation are used for the classification decision and also serve as pseudo-measurements into the Kalman filter. Extensive numerical results are presented for automatic identification of six classes of feed grain.
Adaptive filtering to reduce global interference in non-invasive NIRS measures of brain activation: how well and when does it work?

In previous work we introduced a novel method for reducing global interference, based on adaptive filtering, to improve the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of evoked hemodynamic responses measured non-invasively with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Here, we address the issue of how to generally apply the proposed adaptive filtering method. A total of 156 evoked visual response measurements, collected from 15 individuals, were analyzed. The similarity (correlation) between measurements with far and near source-detector separations collected during the rest period before visual stimulation was used as indicator of global interference dominance. A detailed analysis of CNR improvement in oxy-hemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HHb), as a function of the rest period correlation coefficient, is presented. Results show that for O2Hb measurements, 66% exhibited substantial global interference. For this dataset, dominated by global interference, 71% of the measurements revealed CNR improvements after adaptive filtering, with a mean CNR improvement of 60%. No CNR improvement was observed for HHb. This study corroborates our previous finding that adaptive filtering provides an effective method to increase CNR when there is strong global interference, and also provides a practical way for determining when and where to apply this technique.
P2.090 Multi-Dose Cefixime For Reduced Susceptibility Gonorrhea: A Pharmacokinetic Model

Background Gonococcal minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to 3rd generation-cephalosporins have been rising worldwide. New treatments for resistant gonococci are urgently needed. We developed pharmacokinetic models to assess whether multiple doses of 600mg or 800mg of cefixime would achieve serum levels sufficient to treat gonococcal isolates with elevated cefixime MICs (≥ 0.5 µg/mL). Methods Based on published data, we assumed 800mg of cefixime has a peak total concentration (Cmax) of 4.9 µg/mL, an elimination half-life of 3.5 hours, and a volume of distribution of 32 L. We extrapolated a 600mg dose Cmax as the midpoint (4.25 µg/mL) between the 400mg Cmax (3.7 µg/mL) and 800mg. We created simulation models to identify regimens which could achieve total serum cefixime concentrations that exceed 4 times the MIC for over 20 hours, a previously proposed criterion for defining pharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment regimens. We also assessed the pharmacokinetics of free serum cefixime concentrations assuming a 30% unbound fraction, an alternative criterion for gonorrhoea therapy. Results Simulations suggest that 600mg or 800mg every 12 hours for two doses would achieve total serum cefixime levels sufficient to treat pharyngeal infections caused by gonococci with an MIC ≤ 0.5 µg/mL. A regimen of 800mg orally every 8 hours for three doses would achieve total levels high enough to treat gonococci with an MIC ≤ 1.0 µg/mL. Free cefixime levels attained with 800mg of cefixime every 12 hours for two doses would exceed 0.5 µg/mL for over 24 hours; 800mg every 6 hours for three doses would achieve free levels that exceed 1.0 µg/mL for nearly 24 hours. Conclusion Two-to-three 800mg doses of cefixime could be an effective therapy for pharyngeal infections with gonococci with cefixime MICs of 0.5–1.0 µg/mL. A pharmacokinetics trial to evaluate the accuracy of these simulations and the safety and tolerability of the proposed regimens is currently underway.
THE MAINTENANCE OF MUSCLE GLYCOGEN IN FASTED HYPOPHYSECTOMIZED-ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS1

SINCE THE ORIGINAL REPORT (Russell and Bennett, 1936) that crude anterior pituitary extracts maintained the muscle glycogen levels of fasted hypophysectomized rats even in the absence of the adrenal cortex, evidence has been presented that adequate doses of adrenal cortical steroids had a comparable effect and also elevated blood glucose and liver glycogen levels (Russell and Craig, 1938; Long and Katzin, 1938). In addition Russell (1940) has reported that in adrenalectomized rats the maximal suppression of the oxidation of fed glucose could be obtained with anterior pituitary extracts only when cortical steroids were also present. Since in the original observations on hypophysectomized-adrenalectomized rats the sequence of operationswas such that the animals were sacrificed only 24–28 hours after completion of their bilateral adrenalectomy, they never developed adrenal cortical insufficiency and presumptively cortical steroids may still have been present in their body fluids.
Discount Store Patronage: A Comparison between South Korea and the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine the similarities and differences between customers in South Korea (SK) and in the United States (US) with respect to their characteristics and behaviors related to discount store patronage (i.e., shopping orientation, importance of store attributes, store evaluation, store satisfaction, store patronage intention). A total of 234 discount store customers participated in the study, 117 from SK and 117 from the US. Significant differences were found in importance of store attributes, store evaluation, and store satisfaction, but no significant differences were found in shopping orientation and store patronage intention.
Optical Sensors For Factory Automation.

Photoelectric sensors have various merits over mechanical sensors such as microswitches and limit switches because a photoelectric sensor detects an object without physical contact. Here are some of the features photoelectric sensors offer:
The serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase-1 (Sgk-1) mitochondria connection: Identification of the IF-1 inhibitor of the F1F0-ATPase as a mitochondria-specific binding target and the stress-induced mitochondrial localization of endogenous Sgk-1

The expression, localization and activity of the serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase, Sgk-1, are regulated by multiple hormonal and environmental cues including cellular stress. Biochemical fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that sorbitol induced hyperosmotic stress stimulated expression and triggered the localization of endogenous Sgk-1 into the mitochondria of NMuMG mammary epithelial cells. The immunofluorescence pattern of endogenous Sgk-1 was similar to that of a green fluorescent linked fusion protein linked to the N-terminal Sgk-1 fragment that encodes the mitochondrial targeting signal. In the presence or absence of cellular stress, exogenously expressed wild type Sgk-1 efficiently compartmentalized into the mitochondria demonstrating the mitochondrial import machinery per se is not stressed regulated. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST-pull down assays identified the IF-1 mitochondrial matrix inhibitor of the F1F0-ATPase as a new Sgk-1 binding partner, which represents the first observed mitochondrial target of Sgk-1. The Sgk-1/IF-1 interaction requires the 122-176 amino acid region within the catalytic domain of Sgk-1 and is pH dependent, occurring at neutral pH but not at slightly acidic pH, which suggests that this interaction is dependent on mitochondrial integrity. An in vitro protein kinase assay showed that the F1F0-ATPase can be directly phosphorylated by Sgk-1. Taken together, our results suggest that stress-induced Sgk-1 localizes to the mitochondria, which permits access to physiologically appropriate mitochondrial interacting proteins and substrates, such as IF-1 and the F1F0-ATPase, as part of the cellular stressed induced program.
MOLECULAR AND FUNCTIONAL PHENOTYPES OF MELANOMA CELLS WITH ABNORMALITIES IN HLA CLASS I ANTIGEN EXPRESSION

Analysis of melanoma cell lines with abnormalities in HLA Class I antigen expression has identified two serological phenotypes caused by distinct molecular defects. One is characterized by lack of HLA Class I antigen expression which is not induced by IFN-gamma or by incubation at 25 degrees C for 24 hrs. This phenotype reflects structural changes in the beta(2)m gene which interfere with its transcription and/or translation or result in the synthesis of a defective beta(2)-mu polypeptide unable to associate with HLA Class I heavy chains. The other phenotype manifests very low HLA Class I antigen expression which is enhanced by IFN-gamma or by incubation at 25 degrees C for 24 hrs. This phenotype reflects abnormalities in TAP heterodimer expression, which cause defects in stable assembly and intracellular transport of the HLA Class I antigen trimolecular complex. Loss of HLA Class I antigens renders melanoma cells resistant to lysis by HLA Class I antigen-restricted cytotoxic T cells which specifically recognize melanoma associated antigens. Therefore, abnormalities in HLA Class I antigen expression may have a negative impact on the outcome of T cell based immunotherapy. Characterization of the molecular defects underlying loss of HLA Class I antigens may suggest approaches to restore their expression. Inclusion of these approaches in the protocols of T cell based immunotherapy may improve its efficacy.
Kinetics and site of attack of oligogalacturonic acids by an endopectic acid transeliminase

Abstract Reaction products resulting from action of the endo-pectic acid transeliminase of a Bacillus sp. on various oligogalacturonides were isolated by column chromatography. On the basis of the products isolated, the relative rates of cleavage of the glycosidic bonds at different sites on the substrates have been determined. Bond 3 of tetragalacturonic acid was attacked 26 times faster than bond 2. With unsaturated tetramer the ratio of the rates was only 1.6. In the case of pentamer the relative rates of attack of bonds 2, 3, and 4 were 1, 19, and 13, respectively. With pentagalacturonic acid as the substrate, it was found that mono- and trigalacturonic acids served as competitive inhibitors. The K i value for trigalacturonic acid was 1.31 × 10 −3 m , while that for galacturonic acid was 1.78 × 10 −3 m . Both K m and V m values of the enzyme were determined for tetra- and pentagalacturonic acids, and acid-soluble pectic acid (ASPA). The K m value was greatest for tetragalacturonic acid followed by pentagalacturonic acid and ASPA in order. The V m values for ASPA and pentagalacturonic acid were respectively 3.6 and 2.2 times greater than that for tetragalacturonic acid.
ON THE GOVERNING EQUATIONS OF MOTION OF NONHOLONOMIC SYSTEMS ON RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS

We propose a geometric approach to formulate the governing equations of motion for a class of nonholonomic systems on Riemannian manifolds. We first present a coordinate-free geometric formulation of the D’Alembert–Lagrange equation. Then by explicating this geometric formulation with respect to an arbitrary frame, we obtain the governing equations of motion in generalized form. The governing equations so obtained directly eliminate the dependent variations without using undetermined multipliers. As examples, we apply the formulation to a rigid body and a system with general first-order nonholonomic constraints; we also demonstrate their equivalences to the known results.
The spread of '88 Shanghai type‐A hepatitis: A system dynamics model and analysis

This articie examines a general infectious disease model and proposes a new epidemic threshold and an epidemic scale forecasting formula. Then a system dynamics model of an eruptive Spread of type-A hepatitis in Shanghai in 1988 is presented. Various problems are resolved: simulating the incubation period of type-A hepatitis; fitting the simulation results to real data; analyzing the reason that the predicted second peak of the eruptive spread did not occur. Short-and long-term prospects for recurrence are considered, especially the mechanisms of periodic epidemics and eruptive spreads of type-A hepatitis. The results of this study have import for the prevention and control of type-A hepatitis and other infectious diseases.
Evaluation of the role of human retinal vascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of CMV retinitis.

Previous studies of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis have failed to definitively explain the exact mechanism by which CMV gains access to and initiates infection in the retina. Proposed theories have included leakage of the virus through vessels with altered permeability, with subsequent infection of surrounding glial cells. In an attempt to shed further light on this subject, a histopathologic examination of 30 autopsy eyes from patients with known systemic CMV disease was carried out using light microscopy, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent techniques, and in-situ hybridization. Dual-staining methods were used to identify the exact cell type showing the presence of CMV antigens, namely vascular endothelial cells, glial cells, neuronal cells, and/or leukocytes. In those eyes with CMV retinitis, the sites of full-thickness retinal necrosis revealed viral presence mostly within Muller cells and perivascular glial cells, with focal areas of positive staining within retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and neuronal cells. The retinal capillaries were devoid of endothelial cells in these areas. Adjacent to regions of full-thickness necrosis, some vessels showed the presence of a viral antigen within the endothelial cells. These findings suggest that retinal vascular endothelial cells can be infected with CMV. It can further be hypothesized that infection of vascular endothelial cells leads to infection of the surrounding glial and neuronal cells, with eventual spread to the RPE. Endothelial cells might not be present in areas of full-thickness necrosis due to mechanical forces from adjacent blood flow resulting in the sloughing of these cells.
Ultrastructural study of a sarcomatoid variant of renal cell carcinoma.

The light and electron microscopic features of a sarcomatoid variant of renal cell carcinoma are presented. On light microscopic examination, the initial biopsy specimen showed only a sarcomatoid pattern, but rare transitions to a papillary adenocarcinoma were seen in a few metastatic foci in subsequent autopsy material. However, ultrastructural examination of the biopsy tissue showed frequent desmosomal junctions, confirming the epithelial nature of the neoplasm. Complex lateral plications suggested a renal tubular cell origin. We feel that electron microscopic examination of biopsy material in such cases can be of diagnostic value.
Detection and classification of acoustic transients using wavelet transforms

The search for an optimum mother wavelet for the detection of transient signals can be made tractable if one realizes that all transients are generated by a physical system. The canonical model for many transients can be derived from a simple parallel resonant circuit. It is shown that the impulse response from this circuit acts as a mother wavelet and parameterizes the circuit via its resonant frequency and quality factor. Once the family of transients is defined, a wavelet-based estimator correlator is used to detect and classify transient signals with unknown frequency and arrival times.
Identity Paths: Women's Experiences On and Off Welfare

ABSTRACT A qualitative study using McCracken's (1988) multistage process for data analysis examined common events leading into and out of welfare receipt for women. In semi-structured interviews, twenty female former welfare recipients who are currently human service workers discussed their experiences leading to welfare receipt and the multiple barriers they overcame to become economically self-sufficient. They discussed common paths taken in and out of the welfare system and related identity changes they underwent. Results show support for identity theory by highlighting the effects of identity development in overcoming barriers and how identity salience affects the process of identity change.
The Rancher's ALMANAC

The mathematical Agricultural Land Management Alternatives with Numerical Assessment Criteria (ALMANAC) Model simulates shortand longterm western rangeland vegetation response to various conservation strategies. The model was chosen by the Rangeland Conservation Effects Assessment Program to assess rangeland health across the western United States. Here we demonstrate the model’s accuracy as compared to NRCS Ecological Site Description data at sites in Nevada, Utah, and California. The model is free and available to the public. The USDA–ARS Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Lab at Temple, Texas (http://www.ars.usda.gov/spa/gswrl), conducts free seminars on input parameter development and ALMANAC simulation training. The United States’ western rangelands are a valuable national natural resource. Rangelands provide important ecological benefi t: storing carbon in the soils, mitigating soil loss, and supporting a diversity of plant, animal, and fungal species. Their economic services are comparably important; they support a vibrant and varied livestock industry, maintain wildlife habitat, and provide recreational opportunity to hikers, birders, wildlife photographers, and off-road enthusiasts. They also are valued by the scientifi c community, including geologists, hydrologists, plant and animal ecologists, and soil scientists, to name a few. However, these lands face mounting pressures from urban and suburban expansion, exotic species invasions, changing fi re dynamics, and increased human use. We must determine the best management strategies for these lands to maintain their sustainability for perpetuity, so that we can enjoy the resource now while maintaining it for future generations. Here we demonstrate the applicability of a promising decision support tool to help guide us towards sustainable management decisions: the ALMANAC model.
Review of Sargent's The Conquest of American Inflation

Sargent's book provides a reinterpretation of the US inflation record over the last half-century, reflecting on how macroeconomic theory has evolved since the beginnings of the rational expectations revolution. It is a basic reference on dynamic macroeconomic theory.
Fermi surfaces and energy gaps of high-temperature superconductors

In this short paper, the authors describe their recent experimental results from high-temperature superconductors. In the normal state, the data reveals interesting features of the Fermi surfaces and low energy excitations near the Fermi level. In the superconducting state, the data shows a very strong anisotropy in the superconducting gap.
Thermodynamics of membrane protein folding measured by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Membrane protein folding is an emerging topic with both fundamental and health-related significance. The abundance of membrane proteins in cells underlies the need for comprehensive study of the folding of this ubiquitous family of proteins. Additionally, advances in our ability to characterize diseases associated with misfolded proteins have motivated significant experimental and theoretical efforts in the field of protein folding. Rapid progress in this important field is unfortunately hindered by the inherent challenges associated with membrane proteins and the complexity of the folding mechanism. Here, we outline an experimental procedure for measuring the thermodynamic property of the Gibbs free energy of unfolding in the absence of denaturant, ΔG°H2O, for a representative integral membrane protein from E. coli. This protocol focuses on the application of fluorescence spectroscopy to determine equilibrium populations of folded and unfolded states as a function of denaturant concentration. Experimental considerations for the preparation of synthetic lipid vesicles as well as key steps in the data analysis procedure are highlighted. This technique is versatile and may be pursued with different types of denaturant, including temperature and pH, as well as in various folding environments of lipids and micelles. The current protocol is one that can be generalized to any membrane or soluble protein that meets the set of criteria discussed below.
Longitudinal impact on a circular cylindrical tube

Abstract The longitudinal strain histories produced by impact in a long circular cylindrical tube are determined using membrane shell theory. Solutions are generated by a method which reformulates the boundary value problem in terms of Volterra integral equations which are then numerically resolved. The predicted histories are compared with strain histories measured in a corresponding experiment, and the correlation is found to be better than that based on histories predicted from elementary rod theory corrected to account for lateral inertia.
CRYSTAL CASTS IN UPPER TRIASSIC LOCKATONG AND BRUNSWICK FORMATIONS

SUMMARY Upper Triassic Lockatong argillite (lacustrine facies) and reddish-brown Brunswick mudstone (mudflat facies) contain numerous pseudomorphs after glauberite. Those in the Brunswick Formation are large calcite casts of complete crystals both isolated and in bunches in beds a few inches thick, or are slender skeletal crystal casts forming open-work rosettes in massive mudstone. Those in analcime-rich dolomitic Lockatong argillite are smaller, more slender, skeletal crystal-casts filled with dolomite and analcime; most of them are scattered through the rock but locally arranged in vague geometric patterns; less commonly they form conspicuous rosettes and downward- diverging conical sprays. Many glauberite crystals (and rarely halite in the Brunswick mudstone) grew in soft mud during Late Triassic time, thus emphasizing dryness and the role of saline water in the later history of the closed carbonate-sulphate Lockatong lake. Early extraction of calcium and magnesium carbonates and later of sodium and silica during each chemical cycle left the lake enriched in calcium, sodium, and sulphate. These crystallized as glauberite and possibly anhydrite in lake-bottom mud and in surface mudcracks during the waning of a chemical cycle. Crystals of the soluble salts in the Lockatong mud were then replaced by dolomite and analcime from solutions released during dewatering of the mud.
Aortic Valve Replacement and Coronary Bypass in Patients with Severe Stenosis of the Left Main Coronary Artery

Adequate myocardial protection is difficult to achieve during operations for combined aortic valve disease and severe stenosis of the left main coronary artery. A double cross-clamp technique, which facilitates the delivery of cardioplegic solution to the myocardium, is described here. We reviewed the experiences of 11 patients, 6 of whom underwent operation using the new technique.
The importance of rule fairness: the influence of school bonds on at-risk students in an alternative school

Using Hirschi’s social bonds theory as a foundation, this study examines the effects of at-risk students’ school bonds on their classroom behaviour. In this article, school bonds are defined as the students’ attachment to teachers/staff, students’ affiliation to the school, students’ belief in the fairness of the school rules and students’ involvement in school-related activities. The data are from a sample of 77 at-risk students attending an alternative middle school in a small city in the northeastern region of the USA. The findings based on results of a school-wide survey and students’ school records, parallel prior research demonstrate a statistically significant inverse relationship between school bonds (namely the affiliation and the belief bonds) and classroom misconduct. The results of this study reveal the driving force behind reducing classroom misconduct is students’ perception of fairness of school rules (as defined by the belief bond).
Outcomes of extremely low-birth-weight infants between 500 and 750 g.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe morbidity, mortality, and developmental outcomes among extremely low-birth-weight infants (500-750 g). Study Design: This retrospective cohort study included 167 live-born infants born at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center between January 1990 and December 1995. Results: Mortality rates were 86% among infants P = .01) and the use of antepartum corticosteroids ( P P = .0001) were associated with survival. Sixty-four percent of studied infants had respiratory distress syndrome, and 17% had grade III or IV intraventricular hemorrhage. Among the 63 survivors 57% were tested at 30 months of corrected age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Mild or significant delays were seen on the mental development index in 68% of these cases and on the psychomotor development index in 58% of cases. Conclusion: Morbidity and mortality rates and the rate of developmental delay among infants with birth weights between 500 and 750 g were significant. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1113-6.)
A simple and versatile avoidance chamber for mice requiring no shock scrambler

We present a simple two-chamber apparatus for avoidance training of mice which does not require a shock scrambler. This apparatus can be used for active, passive and discriminated (Go-No-GO) avoidance tasks.
Relations between Physical Habitat and American Eel Abundance in Five River Basins in Maryland

Abstract Although the American eel Anguilla rostrata occurs in a variety of habitats over large geographic areas, little is known regarding the specific habitat relations that regulate eel distribution and abundance in freshwater streams. We evaluated the importance of 17 physical habitat, chemical, and biological variables in predicting eel density in five major river basins in Maryland. Because artificial structures impede eel migration in all five basins, only sites determined to be on unblocked streams or downstream of structures that significantly restrict eel passage were used in the analysis. Stepwise regression identified a model consisting of four variables—velocity–depth diversity, the log-transformed distance (km) to the Chesapeake Bay, the log-transformed density of noneel fishes, and the distance to a semipassable or impassable structure—as the best predictor of eel densities. When applied to a random subset of data not used for model development, the model correctly predicted 44.4% of eel de...