cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dangerous liaisons, fatal women: The fear and fantasy of soccer wives and girlfriends in Spain:

Critical feminist analysis has produced much important work on women in the gender regime of men’s sport. The protagonists of these studies have been mostly female athletes, fans, managers and jour...
Volumetric Error Compensation of Multi-Axis Laser Machining Center for Direct Patterning of Flat Panel Display

A new direct laser patterning system for improving the quality of the pattern on the glass substrate of large Flat Panel Displays (FPD) was developed, which consists of the laser machining center, the laser measurement system, and the adaptive rotational mirror system. The new system is distinguished from the existing system by its control mechanism which compensates for the laser beam error caused by the volumetric error of the multi-axis machine. The new system, in comparison with existing systems which control each stage of multi-axis, uses a fast steering mirror (FSM) and adaptive laser optics to compensate for the error of the laser beam on the substrate. Through this study, a mathematical model of the volumetric error of the multi-axis laser machining center was developed to quantify the geometric and the kinematic errors of each machine axis and their contributing effect on the substrate. The information contained in the mathematical model was expressed in a volumetric error matrix. Further, a mathematical model of the beam delivery was developed to measure the beam delivery on the substrate and its effect on the quality of the patterning. The patterning errors were corrected by using an FSM, which has two rotational angles. The viability of the proposed scheme was demonstrated through simulations and experiments.
Implications of climate change for the management of North Sea cod (Gadus morhua)

Robustness of both short-term stock biomass recovery and longer-term sustainable management strategies to different plausible climatic change scenarios were evaluated for North Sea cod (Gadus morhua), where climate was assumed to impact growth and recruitment. In the short term, climate change had little effect on stock recovery, which depends instead upon reducing fishing effort to allow existing year classes to survive to maturity. In the longer term, climate change has greater effects on stock status, but higher yields and biomass can be expected if fishing mortality is reduced. Incorporating environmental covariates in stock assessment predictions will not achieve sustainable resource use. The implications of climate change for biological reference points depend upon the mechanism through which temperature acts on recruitment, i.e. on juvenile survival or carrying capacity. It is not possible to distinguish between these processes with stock assessment data sets alone. However, this study indicates that reference points based on fishing mortality appear more robust to uncertainty than those based on biomass. Ideally, simpler management procedures are required that meet pre-agreed management objectives and are robust to uncertainty about the true dynamics.
Maternal exposure to household chemicals and risk of infant leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Objective Utilizing data from the largest study to date, we examined associations between maternal preconception/prenatal exposure to household chemicals and infant acute leukemia.
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphological analysis of knee cartilage in healthy and anterior cruciate ligament-injured knees.

Purpose To analyze the morphological change in the cartilage of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by comparing with that of the intact contralateral knee.
The biology of the human–animal bond

Our relationship with domestic animals is rooted in evolutionary, psychological, and physiological processes. There are significant health benefits for people associated with their interaction with animals. There are significant health benefits for animals associated with their interaction with people. Animals can be effectively utilized in therapeutic settings that are cost effective and humane.
Cystic fibrosis and the use of pharmacogenomics to determine surrogate endpoints for drug discovery.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, encoding a chloride channel. For the most common mutation, ΔF508, the basis of the deficit is the failure of the mutant CFTR channel protein to traffic properly to the apical plasma membrane of the affected epithelial cell. The trafficking failure results in loss of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-activated chloride channel function of the CFTR protein in the plasma membrane. The lung is the principal site affecting patient morbidity and mortality in CF. The main reason is that the CF airway epithelial cells also secrete high levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-8, resulting in massive cellular inflammation, infection, tissue damage and lung destruction. The relationship between the trafficking defect, the loss of chloride channel activity, and inflammation is not known. However, gene therapy of CF lung epithelial cells with the wild-type CFTR gene can repair the chloride channel defect, as well as suppress the intrinsic hypersecretion of IL-8. Repair of both defective channels and high IL-8 secretion can also be effected by treatment with the candidate CF drug CPX, which is in clinical trials in CF patients. CPX acts by binding to the mutant CFTR protein, and helps the protein to mature and gain access to the plasma membrane. CPX also suppresses the synthesis and secretion of IL-8 from CF epithelial cells, presumably by virtue of its repair of the trafficking defect of mutant CFTR. To guide pharmacogenomic experiments we have therefore hypothesized that the genomic signature of CF epithelial cells treated with CPX should resemble the signature of the same cells repaired by gene therapy. We have developed two algorithms for identifying genes modified by repair of CFTR defects. The GRASP algorithm uses a statistical test to identify the most profoundly changing genes. The GENESAVER algorithm allows us to identify those genes whose pattern of expression changes in-phase or out-of-phase with IL-8 secretion by CF cells. For the latter algorithm we modified IL-8 secretion from CF cells by treatment with wild-type CFTR, with CPX, or by exposure to bacteria. The results have supported the hypothesis, and have provided a basis for considering the common pharmacogenomic expression signature as a surrogate endpoint for CF drug discovery. Significantly, the nature of the hypothesis, as well as the algorithm developed for this study, can be easily applied to pharmacogenomic studies with other goals.
Catastrophic Nuclear Envelope Collapse in Cancer Cell Micronuclei

During mitotic exit, missegregated chromosomes can recruit their own nuclear envelope (NE) to form micronuclei (MN). MN have reduced functioning compared to primary nuclei in the same cell, although the two compartments appear to be structurally comparable. Here we show that over 60% of MN undergo an irreversible loss of compartmentalization during interphase due to NE collapse. This disruption of the MN, which is induced by defects in nuclear lamina assembly, drastically reduces nuclear functions and can trigger massive DNA damage. MN disruption is associated with chromatin compaction and invasion of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules into the chromatin. We identified disrupted MN in both major subtypes of human non-small-cell lung cancer, suggesting that disrupted MN could be a useful objective biomarker for genomic instability in solid tumors. Our study shows that NE collapse is a key event underlying MN dysfunction and establishes a link between aberrant NE organization and aneuploidy.
Monitor integrity protection with space efficiency and separate compilation

Low-level inlined reference monitors weave monitor code into a program for security. To ensure that monitor code cannot be bypassed by branching instructions, some form of control-flow integrity must be guaranteed. Past approaches to protecting monitor code either have high space overhead or do not support separate compilation. We present Monitor Integrity Protection (MIP), a form of coarse-grained control-flow integrity. The key idea of MIP is to arrange instructions in variable-sized chunks and dynamically restrict indirect branches to target only chunk beginnings. We show that this simple idea is effective in protecting monitor code integrity, enjoys low space and execution-time overhead, supports separate compilation, and is largely compatible with an existing compiler toolchain. We also show that MIP enables a separate verifier that completely disassembles a binary and verifies its security. MIP is designed to support inlined reference monitors. As a case study, we have implemented MIP-based Software-based Fault Isolation (SFI) on both x86-32 and x86-64. The evaluation shows that MIP-based SFI has competitive performance with other SFI implementations, while enjoying low space overhead.
Eye involvement in autoimmune blistering diseases.

The immunologically mediated blistering diseases of the skin and mucous membrane can lead to ocular abnormalities involving any part of the external eye or its adnexae. With the exception of pemphigus vulgaris and its variants, which are characterized by intraepidermal blisters, the majority of the blistering diseases share a subepidermal blister cleavage. It is not surprising, therefore, that significant overlapping ocular presentations occur among the blistering dermatoses. This article will focus on the main features of immunologically mediated diseases with ocular manifestations. Cicatricial pemphigoid, pemphigoid vulgaris, linear IgA bullous disease, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita usually have ocular involvement. Bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpitiformis, on the other hand, may or may not affect the eye.
What's new: Cervical cancer screening in adolescents.

1. Donald E. Greydanus, MD* 2. Hatim Omar, MD† 3. Dilip R. Patel, MD* 1. *Professor, Pediatrics & Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing and Kalamazoo, Mich 2. †Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky Cervical dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is the precursor to cancer of the cervix, a cancer of adult females of which there are nearly 10,000 new cases each year in the United States and nearly 4,000 annual deaths. Infection of the cervix with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of cervical cancer. Risk factors for HPV infection in the adolescent years include early sexarche (onset of coitus), multiple sexual partners, smoking, chronic steroid use, and conditions of immunosuppression (ie, transplants, human immunodeficiency virus infection). (1) Cervical cancer screening in adolescent females is an important weapon in the fight against cervical cancer, and this article considers current concepts on this topic. Pediatricians should be knowledgeable about gynecologic care of the sexually active adolescent. (2) Many may perform Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening; others may prefer to work closely with a gynecologist or other health-care professional who sees adolescents. The basis of cervical cancer screening is the evaluation of the epithelial surface of the cervix (ectocervix), which changes from squamous to columnar epithelium. (2) The border that joins the two types of epithelia is called the squamous columnar junction or transition zone. More than 95% of CIN develops within this transition zone of the cervix in adult females. Under the influence of maternal hormones, cervical columnar cells increase in the neonatal period, but the cells recede during childhood. During puberty and pregnancy, the squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar epithelium, sometimes leading to a red, granular appearance to the endocervix, which …
Witches and Witchfrnding in Educational Organizations

Modem organizations, particularly loosely coupled education organizations, may exhibit behaviors structurally similar to those of "simple societies. " This article suggests that behaviors akin to witchfinding in preliterate societies may be used in education organizations to maintain social order and the status quo-to defeat change attempts and defeat change agents. The anthropological literature is reviewed and a generalized model produced. Case data in higher education are provided and analyzed using the witchfinding model. Possibilities for restructuring the organization in education are suggested.
The Non-Timber Forest Products Sector in Nepal: Emerging Policy Issues in Plant Conservation and Utilization for Sustainable Development

The non-timber forest products (NTFPs) sector in Nepal is being promoted with the concept of sustainable development as articulated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Traditionally, people have been dependent on NTFPs for subsistence; however, international trade is growing. To promote this sector, Nepal adopted the 2004 Herbs and NTFP Development Policy. Our goal is to assess the effectiveness of the policy along with the other forestry and natural resource policies in Nepal concerning the conservation and use of NTFPs. We conducted open-ended semi-structured interviews with 28 key informants in summer 2006 in Nepal and collected relevant documents and publications. Qualitative analyses of data yielded important issues that should be addressed to promote the sector as envisioned by the Government. The most important is the need for inventory and research on NTFP species in widespread use. There are some issues regarding species banned under various other National Acts; the lack of marketing...
A population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) experienced in differing patient groups: An effort to replicate Vercoulen et al.'s model of CFS

Background: Vercoulen et al.'s (1998) model characterizes patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as having insufficient motivation for physical activity or recovery, lacking an internal locus of control, and maintaining a self-defeating preoccupation with symptoms. However, this model has only been tested in a poorly specified group using a single comparison sample.Aims: To investigate whether Vercoulen et al.'s model provides an adequate description of CFS in a community-based sample.Method: A community-based sample recruited through telephone interviewing (N = 28,763) produced five groups (CFS, CF-psychiatrically-explained symptoms, CF-medically-unexplained symptoms, CF-substance misuse, and idiopathic CF). The data were analysed using path analysis with the endogenous (dependent) variables, fatigue severity, physical activity, and impairment, were ratio-level measurements and consisted of at least four values. The exogenous (independent) variables except for causal attribution of fatigue were als...
A Cool Intervention for Posttraumatic Epilepsy

Up to 75% of people who survive traumatic brain injury develop epileptic seizures that manifest days to years after the traumatic event. These seizures, which are notoriously difficult to manage, cannot be prevented by current interventions. It is well established that short-term cooling of the brain can prevent or limit brain damage caused by other harmful events such as cardiac arrest and cardiovascular surgery. Whether brain cooling can effectively prevent posttraumatic epilepsy has been relatively unexplored. Now, D’Ambrosio and colleagues report that 5 to 6 weeks of continuous, focal brain cooling, by as little as 0.5 to 2⁰C, virtually stops the development of epileptic seizures in a common rat model of posttraumatic epilepsy. The investigators created a small trauma to the cortical surface of the brain in anesthetized rats and 3 days later began to cool the surface of the brain immediately surrounding the traumatic lesion. This intervention resulted in up to 99% reduction in seizure frequency, with the effect persisting for at least 10 weeks after cessation of cooling. A limited assessment of markers for brain tissue injury and electrical activity did not reveal evidence of brain damage or compromised electrical activity due to the cooling. This study demonstrates that chronic, low-grade brain cooling can be used to effectively prevent posttraumatic epilepsy in rats. The significance of this study is that low-grade, targeted cooling of the brain appears to be a relatively simple, safe, and a highly effective intervention in a well-established animal model of posttraumatic epilepsy. Now, further studies are needed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of this approach in humans with traumatic brain injury. R. D’Ambrosio et al. , Mild passive focal cooling prevents epileptic seizures after head injury in rats. Ann. Neurol. 73 , 199–209 (2013). [[Full text]][1] [1]: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.23764/abstract
Effects of social interaction on eating and drinking in two subspecies of deermice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii and Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis

Abstract Pair combinations of Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii and Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis were given access to solid food and water or 8 per cent sucrose. All groups consumed more total calories under separate housing conditions than when the pair was housed together. No differences were found among the three cominations of subspecies, and cage size was not a significant variable. These results suggested testing Zajonc's theory of social facilitation, which states that the intensity of the most salient response increases in the presence of conspecifics at the expense of less probable responses. In the second experiment drinking was made the most salinet behaviour by placing the mice under 23-hr liquid deprivation. Contrary to theoretical predictions social inhibition was again demonstrated.
Quality, service level, or empire: which is the objective of the nonprofit arts firm?

In this article, we examine the objectives of nonprofit arts firms. We approach this problem from both theoretical and empirical angles, building a structural model of arts nonprofit utility that distinguishes between the maximization of quality, the organization’s level of service, and its budget. We then construct an empirical method for testing which objective is evident in firm-level data. As an example application, we test the objectives of the managers of American public radio stations in the 1990s, finding that about half of stations have discernible objectives. The data show service is not an objective for about 30% of the stations; quality can be ruled out for 49%; and budget is rejected for 69%. In addition, large stations are harder to classify by objective than small ones are.
HuD Regulates Coding and Noncoding RNA to Induce APP→Aβ Processing

The primarily neuronal RNA-binding protein HuD is implicated in learning and memory. Here, we report the identification of several HuD target transcripts linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. HuD interacted with the 3' UTRs of APP mRNA (encoding amyloid precursor protein) and BACE1 mRNA (encoding β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1) and increased the half-lives of these mRNAs. HuD also associated with and stabilized the long noncoding (lnc)RNA BACE1AS, which partly complements BACE1 mRNA and enhances BACE1 expression. Consistent with HuD promoting production of APP and APP-cleaving enzyme, the levels of APP, BACE1, BACE1AS, and Aβ were higher in the brain of HuD-overexpressing mice. Importantly, cortex (superior temporal gyrus) from patients with AD displayed significantly higher levels of HuD and, accordingly, elevated APP, BACE1, BACE1AS, and Aβ than did cortical tissue from healthy age-matched individuals. We propose that HuD jointly promotes the production of APP and the cleavage of its amyloidogenic fragment, Aβ.
Design and subscale tests of a diffuser system for a Mach 4 scramjet test facility

A fixed-geometry diffuser system was designed for use in Mach 4 free-jet tests of a hydrogen-burning modular scramjet engine. The scramjet engine has a rectangular cross section that blocks up to 33 percent of the existing tunnel nozzle exit area and swept leading edges of the scramjet produce an asymmetric downward flow that sharply increases when the scramjet inlet unstarts. Effects of these conditions on the operation of the diffuser system are not accurately predictable. An experimental investigation has therefore been conducted in unheated air using a subscale model of the tunnel-scramjet-diffuser system to substantiate the design. Test results showed that the preliminary design had to be modified to obtain an acceptable configuration of the nozzle exit, test cabin, and diffuser that would provide shock-free flow at the scramjet inlet for simulated Mach 4 flight at altitudes from 16,764 to 20,422 meters.
A solubility study of the boric acid‐glycerin complex I. Solubility of boric acid in glycerin solution at 25°

A solubility study of the boric acid-water-glycerin system was made at 25°. The effect of concentration of glycerin upon the solubility of boric acid was noted. Concentrations of glycerin ranging from 0 per cent to 100 per cent, by weight, were utilized in this study. A phase diagram of this three-component system was constructed at 25°. The results of this investigation were compared to the boric acid-water-sorbitol system and a difference was noted between the nature of the boric acid-sorbitol complex and the boric acid-glycerin complex.
Forecasting cyclical turning points with an index of leading indicators: A probabilistic approach

In this paper the econometrics of latent variables in conjunction with leading economic indicators are used to predict turning points of the US industrial production variable for various forecasting horizons. The results reported here show that leading indicators used in regression models with a dichotomous dependent variable that marks periods of economic expansion and contraction forecast business cycle turning points accurately. Leading indicators produce the most reliable forecasts of turning points five months prior to cyclical changes and do not give any false signals. Moreover, the weights assigned to leading indicators for producing the index vary as the forecast horizon changes.
Cross-Sex Friends Who were Once Romantic Partners: Are they Platonic Friends Now?

Relatively little is known about the relationships between exromantic partners. For example, is it possible for them to have a platonic friendship? The present study addresses this question by surveying both males and females who report having a cross-sex friend who was once a romantic partner and a cross-sex friend with whom there was never any romantic involvement. Both types of friendship are compared using rules of friendship, costs and benefits of friendship, romantic desires, and overall quality of the relationship. The results indicate a significant difference in the feelings towards each type of friend with more positive qualities associated with the platonic friend and more negative qualities, in addition to more romantic desires, associated with the ex-romantic partner friend. It is suggested that the relationship between ex- romantic partners is qualitatively different from a platonic cross-sex friendship.
Coercion theory revisited: Toward a new theoretical perspective on the etiology of conduct disorders

Abstract This article examines the status of current behavioral theorizing regarding the etiology of conduct disorders in young children and proposes a new cognitive social learning model. A conduct disorder includes nonconformity to social rules, immaturity, and aggression, and predicts subsequent antisocial behavior. The existing model, coercive family process theory, has been of heuristic value, but the accumulated data fail to provide compelling evidence in support of its causal hypotheses. Coercion theory is, philosophically, an operant paradigm whose fundamental assumptions may constrict basic research by limiting investigation to the directly observable. It also precludes incorporation of recent advances in developmental and cognitive psychology. This paper outlines an alternate model in which a conduct disorder is conceptualized as a deviation from normal maturation determined by the interaction of person, behavior, and environment. Nonsynchronous parent-child interactions are hypothesized to establish a template for future disordered relationships, to impair abstract modeling of cultural values, and to detract from the impact of the adult's socialization efforts.
Preparing Students for Lifelong Learning: A Review of Instructional Features and Teaching Methodologies

Lifelong learning is intentional learning that people engage in throughout their lives for personal and professional fulfillment and to improve the quality of their lives. In today's climate of continual change and innovation, lifelong learning is a critical educational goal. In order to prepare people for lifelong learning, educational opportunities must develop their capacity for self-direction, metacognitive awareness, and disposition toward lifelong learning. Several instructional features facilitate the development of metacognitive and self-directed learning skills, and the disposition to lifelong learning: (1) student autonomy, responsibility, and intentionality; (2) intrinsically motivating learning activities; (3) enculturation; (4) discourse and collaboration among learners; and (5) reflection. This article describes and presents examples of how three teaching methodologies—problem-based learning, intentional learning environments, and cognitive apprenticeship—employ these instructional features.
The relationship between treatment parameters within a latent variable framework

Abstract If responses to a treatment vary among people, a variety of parameters can be defined [Heckman, J., Robb, R. 1985. Alternative methods for evaluating the impact of interventions. In: Heckman J., Singer B. (Eds.), Longitudinal Analysis of Labor Market Data. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp. 156–245; Heckman, J., 1997, first draft 1995, Instrumental variables: a study of implicit behavioral assumptions used in making program evaluations. Journal of Human Resources 32, 441–462]. We show a simple relationship between various treatment parameters when the treatment parameters are defined within a common, latent variable framework.
Safety of Aerobic Exercise in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Single-Group Clinical Trial

Background Exercise is recommended for people with diabetes, but little is known about exercise in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Objective The primary purpose of this preliminary study was to examine adverse events (AEs) during moderate-intensity, supervised aerobic exercise in people with DPN. The secondary purpose was to examine changes in fatigue, aerobic fitness, and other outcomes after intervention. Design This was a single-group preliminary study. Setting The setting was an academic medical center. Participants Participants were 18 people who were sedentary and had type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (mean age=58.1 years, SD=5). Intervention The intervention was a supervised 16-week aerobic exercise program (3 times per week at 50% to >70% oxygen uptake reserve). Measurements Adverse events were categorized as related or unrelated to the study, anticipated or unanticipated, and serious or not serious. Outcomes included fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), cardiovascular fitness (peak oxygen uptake), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), sleep quality, plasma metabolic markers, and peripheral vascular function. Results During the study, 57 nonserious AEs occurred. Improvements were found in general fatigue (mean change=−3.5; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=−1.3, −5.3), physical fatigue (mean change=−3.1; 95% CI=−1.2, −5.0), peak oxygen uptake (mean change=1.1 mL·kg−1·min−1; 95% CI=0.2, 1.9), total body fat (mean change=−1%; 95% CI=−0.3, −1.7), fat mass (mean change=−1,780 g; 95% CI=−616.2, −2,938.7), and peripheral blood flow (mean change=2.27%; 95% CI=0.6, 4.0). Limitations This was a small-scale, uncontrolled study. A future randomized controlled trial is needed to fully assess the effects of exercise on the outcomes. Conclusions This study provides new support for supervised aerobic exercise in people with DPN. However, it is important for physical therapists to carefully prescribe initial exercise intensity and provide close monitoring and education to address the anticipated AEs as people who are sedentary and have DPN begin an exercise program.
A Test Cross Protocol for Determining the Seedcoat Genotype at the C Locus in Common Bean

Studying the genetics of seedcoat color in common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in F2 progenies is very difficult because of complex epistatic interactions, and the analysis is complicated further by multiple allelism, especially at the C locus. An alternative approach is to study seedcoat genetics by analyzing the F 1 progeny of test crosses between a variety with unknown seedcoat genotype and genetic tester stocks with known genotypes. Twenty varieties, 18 with known genotype at C, were test crossed with the genetic tester stock c u BC3 5-593, where 5-593 is a recurrent parent with seedcoat genotype P (C r) D J G B V Rk. The resulting F1 progenies were classified into seven phenotypic classes and discussed. The crosses g B v BC3 5-593 x c u BC3 5-593 and c u BC3 5-593 x v BC3 5-593 were made and the F2 progeny classified for flower color and seedcoat color and pattern. No tiny cartridge buff flecks were observed in the segregants with C/c u v/v, whereas C/c u V/- always showed such flecks. The contrasting seedcoat color expression at C in different environ- mental conditions is discussed. Seedcoat color in common bean is con- trolled primarily by a system of eight genes, viz., P, C, D, J, G, B, V, and Rk, and the effect of each of the genes has been described by Prakken (1970, 1972). Leakey (1988) gave a highly speculative hypothesis about the role each of those genes may play in the metabolic pathways in the synthesis of flavonoid pig- ments in the seedcoats of common bean. The knowledge about the genetics of seedcoat color was developed typically by analyzing F2 and F3 populations derived from a cross of two inbred parents with different seedcoat colors. An easier method for deter- mining seedcoat genotype is needed to enable nonspecialists to obtain reliable results with- out prior mastery of the very complicated system of interactions among the seedcoat color genes. A method of determining seedcoat genotype using test crosses between an inbred line to be studied and a series of genetic testers stocks was proposed by Bassett (1992). The seedcoat color of the F 1 progeny of the test crosses is used to determine the seedcoat geno- type of the inbred tested. The C locus has been, by far, the most difficult object of study for bean seedcoat geneticists. This locus can be viewed either as having a multiple allelic series (Nakayama, 1964) or as a complex locus (Prakken, 1970, 1974). The term 'complex C locus' of Prakken (1970, 1974) refers to a series of tightly linked genes that control color expression not only in
A polymorphism in the gene encoding procolipase produces a colipase, Arg92Cys, with decreased function against long-chain triglycerides.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial and polygenic disorder with increasing prevalence. Recently, a polymorphism in the gene encoding procolipase, a cysteine for arginine substitution at position 92, was associated with type 2 diabetes in two human populations. Because procolipase plays a critical role in dietary fat metabolism, polymorphisms that affect the function of procolipase could influence the development of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that the Arg92Cys polymorphism has functional consequences. To test our hypothesis, we expressed recombinant cysteine 92 (Cys92) procolipase in a yeast expression system and compared the function and stability of purified Cys92 with that of the more common arginine 92 (Arg92) procolipase. Cys92 fully restored the activity of bile-salt inhibited lipase with short- and medium-chain triglycerides but only had 50% of Arg92 function with long-chain triglycerides. After storage at 4°C, Cys92 lost the ability to restore pancreatic triglyceride lipase activity with medium- and long-chain triglycerides. The loss of function correlated with the inability of Cys92 to anchor lipase on an emulsion surface and oxidation of the cysteine. No detectable degradation or intramolecular disulfide formation occurred in Cys92 after storage. Our findings demonstrate that the Arg92Cys polymorphism decreases the function of Cys92 colipase. This change may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Infotopia: Unleashing the Democratic Power of Transparency*

In Infotopia, citizens enjoy a wide range of information about the organizations upon which they rely for the satisfaction of their vital interests. The provision of that information is governed by...
Approach to Thermodynamic Equilibrium (and other Stationary States)

This Symposium on the Physicist’s Conception of Nature celebrates the 70th birthday of Paul Dirac. Before beginning the subject of my talk, I would like to make some remarks about ways in which Dirac has influenced me personally. The first edition of his book, The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, was published in 1930. In that same year I entered the University of California at Berkeley where I majored in Chemistry. I spent the summer of 1932 at home in Los Angeles, and came across Dirac’s book on the shelves of the public library. I remember that it made a great impression on me, although I could not really understand very much of it. In part, due to its influence, I changed to Physics for graduate study, and during the years 1934 to 1938 worked with J. R. Oppenheimer on theoretical physics. Every spring, accompanied by most of his students, Oppenheimer went to Caltech in Pasadena, and around 1936 I had there the opportunity to hear a lecture by Dirac on magnetic poles. This was unfortunately not the occasion on which a member of the audience, addressing the speaker during the discussion period, was told of the difference between a question and a statement.
The fractional integrator as a control design element

It is a well-known fact that set-point following, in linear control systems, requires an integrator in the feedback loop. However, such an integrator introduces phase lag which may often have a destabilizing effect. A variety of options exist for adding lead to mediate this effect. In this paper we consider yet another option, a fractional integrator. We study possible implementations of the fractional integrator and the effect of such an element in achieving set-point following specifications.
Thymoma: Therapy and prognosis as related to operative staging

Fifty-three patients were seen and treated for thymoma at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Staging of patients was based upon invasion. Stage I and Stage II patients had a 100% survival when surgery was the only method of treatment. With Stage III disease, 50% survival was noted at five years; combined surgery and radiation therapy was the treatment of choice.
Orientation of GST-tagged lectins via in situ surface modification to create an expanded lectin microarray for glycomic analysis

Herein we describe the orientation of GST-tagged lectins on NHS-activated slides via a one-step deposition of the protein and a glutathione (GSH) scaffold. This technology overcomes the need for a premade GSH-surface to orient GST-tagged proteins, enabling us to rapidly expand the analytical capacity of lectin microarrays through addition of oriented lectins, while maintaining lectin diversity.
Challenges in Achieving Trajectory-Based Operations

In the past few years much of the global ATM research community has proposed advanced systems based on Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO). The concept of TBO uses four-dimensional aircraft trajectories as the base information for managing safety and capacity. Both the US and European advanced ATM programs call for the sharing of trajectory data across different decision support tools for successful operations. However, the actual integration of TBO systems presents many challenges. Trajectory predictors are built to meet the specific needs of a particular system and are not always compatible with others. Two case studies are presented which examine the challenges of introducing a new concept into two legacy systems in regards to their trajectory prediction software. The first case describes the issues with integrating a new decision support tool with a legacy operational system which overlap in domain space. These tools perform similar functions but are driven by different requirements. The difference in the resulting trajectories can lead to conflicting advisories. The second case looks at integrating this same new tool with a legacy system originally developed as an integrated system, but diverged many years ago. Both cases illustrate how the lack of common architecture concepts for the trajectory predictors added cost and complexity to the integration efforts.
Aggregated Circulant Matrix Based LDPC Codes

This paper presents a variation of circulant matrix based LDPC codes which allows more than one circulant identity matrix in a submatrix of the parity check matrix. The aggregated LDPC supports higher decoding throughput with small increase in datapath complexity. The construction algorithm, bit error rate (BER) performance, information update rule and the architecture for high decoding throughput are also presented.
Contrast, constancy, and measurements of perceived lightness under parametric manipulation of surface slant and surface reflectance

Across many scenes, local contrast provides a valid cue to surface reflectance, but it is not the only such cue. To generalize beyond theories of lightness that rely exclusively on local contrast, we need to know which other potential cues matter. We had observers make lightness matches between two scene locations, and varied the surface slant and local surround reflectance of one of the locations. When local contrast was a valid cue to reflectance, all observers were approximately lightness constant. When it was not, observers' lightness matches were intermediate between contrast matching and lightness constancy. For most observers, surface slant exerted an effect on perceived lightness beyond that explainable by local contrast.
Diagnosing multiple persistent and intermittent faults

Almost all approaches to model-based diagnosis presume that the system being diagnosed behaves non-intermittently and analyze behavior over a small number (often only one) of time instants. In this paper we show how existing approaches to model-based diagnosis can be extended to diagnose intermittent failures as they manifest themselves over time. In addition, we show where to insert probe points to best distinguish among the intermittent faults those that best explain the symptoms and isolate the fault in minimum expected cost.
Developmental change in numerical estimation.

Mental representations of numerical magnitude are commonly thought to undergo discontinuous change over development in the form of a “representational shift.” This idea stems from an apparent categorical shift from logarithmic to linear patterns of numerical estimation on tasks that involve translating between numerical magnitudes and spatial positions (such as number-line estimation). However, the observed patterns of performance are broadly consistent with a fundamentally different view, based on psychophysical modeling of proportion estimation, that explains the data without appealing to discontinuous change in mental representations of numerical magnitude. The present study assessed these 2 theories’ abilities to account for the development of numerical estimation in 5- through 10-year-olds. The proportional account explained estimation patterns better than the logarithmic-to-linear-shift account for all age groups, at both group and individual levels. These findings contribute to our understanding of the nature and development of the mental representation of number and have more general implications for theories of cognitive developmental change.
Metabolic Adaptations of Azospirillum brasilense to Oxygen Stress by Cell-to-Cell Clumping and Flocculation

The ability of bacteria to monitor their metabolism and adjust their behavior accordingly is critical to maintain competitiveness in the environment. The motile microaerophilic bacterium Azospirillum brasilense navigates oxygen gradients by aerotaxis in order to locate low oxygen concentrations that can support metabolism. When cells are exposed to elevated levels of oxygen in their surroundings, motile A. brasilense cells implement an alternative response to aerotaxis and form transient clumps by cell-to-cell interactions. Clumping was suggested to represent a behavior protecting motile cells from transiently elevated levels of aeration. Using the proteomics of wild-type and mutant strains affected in the extent of their clumping abilities, we show that cell-to-cell clumping represents a metabolic scavenging strategy that likely prepares the cells for further metabolic stresses. Analysis of mutants affected in carbon or nitrogen metabolism confirmed this assumption. The metabolic changes experienced as clumping progresses prime cells for flocculation, a morphological and metabolic shift of cells triggered under elevated-aeration conditions and nitrogen limitation. The analysis of various mutants during clumping and flocculation characterized an ordered set of changes in cell envelope properties accompanying the metabolic changes. These data also identify clumping and early flocculation to be behaviors compatible with the expression of nitrogen fixation genes, despite the elevated-aeration conditions. Cell-to-cell clumping may thus license diazotrophy to microaerophilic A. brasilense cells under elevated oxygen conditions and prime them for long-term survival via flocculation if metabolic stress persists.
United Airlines: Employee Buyout

This case focuses on a large-scale corporate restructuring that involves changes to United Airlines' operating strategy and financing. Through a recapitalization of the company, its pilots, machinists, and salaried workers become majority shareholders of the firm.
Value of exercise radionuclide ventriculography and thallium-201 scintigraphy in evaluating successful coronary angioplasty: comparison with coronary flow reserve, translesional gradient and percent diameter stenosis

Assessment of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by early radionuclide exercise test was evaluated for 11 arteries undergoing a successful procedure. Exercise thallium-201 (Tl-201) and radio-nuclide ventriculography (RNV) were performed within 3 days before and after PTCA and compared to % diameter stenosis, % translesional gradient and regional coronary flow reserve (CFR) determined by digital coronary angiography. Primary success of the procedure was gauged by reduction in % stenosis from 80 ± 12% to 31 ± 12% (residual stenosis < 50% in all cases) and reduction in % gradient < 25% in all cases). Before PTCA, Tl-201 and/or RNV were abnormal in all cases. After PTCA, radionuclide exercise tests improved but remained abnormal in 4 instances. No relationship was found between residual % gradient or stenosis and pathological Tl-201 or RNV following PTCA, but abnormal tests were observed among 4 out of the 5 vessels with the lowest CFR ( < 1.69). In one case CFR remained depressed despite good angiographic, hemodynamic and scintigraphic results, this patient had unstable angina before the procedure. Among patients with stable symptoms, CFR of arterial distributions with positive Tl-201 or RNV after PTCA was significantly lower than that with negative tests (1.58 ± 0.05 as compared to 1.90±0.25, P<0.02). Early radionuclide stress tests results thus reflect the physiologic improvement of coronary circulation. They may reflect the persistence of coronary flow abnormalities despite the relief of the epicardial stenosis.
Manipulating Surface Potentials of Metal Oxides Using Semiconductor Heterojunctions

Controlling the free-surface electrostatic potential of semiconducting metal oxides offers possibilities for improving the performance of sensors and catalysts and photocatalysts. However, methods to exert such control have typically proven to be inexact and unreliable. The present work demonstrates an approach based on semiconductor heterojunctions, wherein an oxide substrate with controlled carrier concentration supports a much thinner layer. The layer is too thin to absorb all the charge that would normally transfer, so some of the excess charge propagates to the free surface and changes the surface potential. A combination of standard heterojunction analysis via Poisson’s equation and surface potential measurements verifies the workability of this concept for thin polycrystalline V2O5 grown on polycrystalline anatase TiO2.
The Effect of Mental Stress on Prostaglandin F2α in Patients with Essential Hypertension and in Healthy Subjects

1. The influence of mental stress, 30 min Kraepelin9s arithmetic test under noise on the plasma concentration and urinary excretion of prostaglandin (PG) F 2α was studied in patients with essential hypertension and in healthy subjects. 2. Before the arithmetic test the plasma PGF 2α in hypertensive patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects. The mental stress produced a significant increase in plasma PGF 2α in healthy subjects but not in patients with essential hypertension. 3. Three hour urine excretion of PGF 2a before stress was about two times lower in hypertensive patients than in healthy subjects. After exposure to stress a significant decrease in urinary excretion of PGF 2α was found in healthy subjects, but not in hypertensive patients. 4. The stress-induced increase in plasma PGF 2α of healthy subjects may reflect elevated brain PGF 2α synthesis. The individual differences in response to stress in hypertensive patients may result from specific impairments in synthesis and/or prostaglandin turnover.
Non-Nernstian two-electron transfer photocatalysis at metalloporphyrin-TiO2 interfaces.

A long-standing question in the photochemical sciences concerns how to integrate single-electron transfers to catalytic multielectron transfer reactions that produce useful chemical fuels. Here we provide a strategy for the two-electron formation of C–C bonds with molecular catalysts anchored to semiconductor nanocrystallites. The blue portion of the solar spectrum provides band gap excitation of the semiconductor while longer wavelengths of light initiate homolytic cleavage of metal–carbon bonds that, after interfacial charge transfer, restore the catalyst. The semiconductor utilized was the anatase polymorph of TiO2 present as a nanocrystalline, mesoporous thin film. The catalyst was cobalt meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin chloride, Co(TCPP)Cl. For this catalyst and iron protoporphyrin IX chloride, Fe(PPIX)Cl, two distinct and sequential metal-based MIII/II and MII/I reductions were observed under band gap illumination. Spectroelectrochemical characterization indicated that both reduct...
Ester Formation and Hydrolysis during Wet–Dry Cycles: Generation of Far-from-Equilibrium Polymers in a Model Prebiotic Reaction

Biopolymers exist within living cells as far-from-equilibrium metastable polymers. Living systems must constantly invest energy for biopolymer synthesis. In the earliest stages of life on Earth, the complex molecular machinery that contemporary life employs for the synthesis and maintenance of polymers did not exist. Thus, a major question regarding the origin of life is how the first far-from-equilibrium polymers emerged from a prebiotic “pool” of monomers. Here, we describe a proof-of-principle system, in which l-malic acid monomers form far-from-equilibrium, metastable oligoesters via repeated, cyclic changes in hydration and temperature. Such cycles would have been associated with day–night and/or seasonal cycles on the early Earth. In our model system, sample heating, which promotes water evaporation and ester bond formation, drives polymerization. Even though periodic sample rehydration and heating in the hydrated state promotes ester bond hydrolysis, successive iterations of wet–dry cycles result i...