cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matching Political Contributions

Traditional public financing of campaigns is in trouble. Successful candidates have increasingly rejected public financing because it provides inadequate funding and limits candidate spending. November 2012 was the first general election in which presidential candidates from both major parties rejected public financing since the inception of the program. The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a decision that undermined traditional public financing systems. If existing programs are not revamped soon public financing may be off the public radar for decades, as budget deficits make antiquated public financing programs ripe targets for spending cuts. This Essay proposes a paradigm shift. Public financing should no longer aim to purge private money from politics, but should instead encourage as many citizens as possible to participate in financing politics. Specifically, federal, state, and local lawmakers should adopt a multiple match for political contributions that would dramatically expand participation. Giving six-to-one multiple matching public funds on the first $200 of a contribution, for example, would make a $200 contribution worth $1400 to a candidate. Studies show that multiple matching funds can increase citizen participation sevenfold, and can prompt candidates to collect the bulk of their money from smaller contributors.
The Unchecked HIV/AIDS Crisis in Mississippi

While the population of the southern United States is only 37% of the country’s total, this region is experiencing 50% of new HIV diagnoses and 46% of new AIDS diagnoses. Specifically, Mississippi has the highest rates of new infection, the most AIDS deaths, the greatest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the fewest resources. Mississippi has the highest death rate in the country: 32.9 per 1,000. A Mississippian with HIV/AIDS is almost twice as likely to die as the average American with the virus (SHARP Report, 2010). Compounding the problem are government policy issues, such as disproportionate program funding; socio-economic issues, such as widespread poverty, housing insecurity, and the lack of access to care; and cultural issues, such as homophobia and social stigma. These factors are reflected in this study which examines the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in a southern, rural county of Mississippi. From a representative sample of 218 HIV positive individuals, researchers identified the...
The interpretation and significance of the lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio in amniotic fluid.

Abstract The significance of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio is well established. However, numerous variations in techniques are appearing, and certain issues about techniques have emerged; among these, acetone precipitation, phosphorus determination rather than densitometry or area measurement, measurement of total phospholipids rather than the L/S ratio, and determination of lecithin concentration rather than the L/S ratio are discussed. Acetone precipitation allows examination of the physiologic (surface-active) fraction of lecithin; this fraction also helps to evaluate the rapidly maturing lung and possibly prevent false predictions. Maturational acceleration of the L/S ratio may be secondary to chronic stress or to acute stress such as acute placental infarction or ruptured membranes. Further evidence is presented that there is continuity between the fetal lungs and amniotic fluid. General principles are presented as a guide in clinical interpretation of the L/S ratio.
The leucine-rich repeat domain can determine effective interaction between RPS2 and other host factors in arabidopsis RPS2-mediated disease resistance.

Like many other plant disease resistance genes, Arabidopsis thaliana RPS2 encodes a product with nucleotide-binding site (NBS) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains. This study explored the hypothesized interaction of RPS2 with other host factors that may be required for perception of Pseudomonas syringae pathogens that express avrRpt2 and/or for the subsequent induction of plant defense responses. Crosses between Arabidopsis ecotypes Col-0 (resistant) and Po-1 (susceptible) revealed segregation of more than one gene that controls resistance to P. syringae that express avrRpt2. Many F 2 and F 3 progeny exhibited intermediate resistance phenotypes. In addition to RPS2 , at least one additional genetic interval associated with this defense response was identified and mapped using quantitative genetic methods. Further genetic and molecular genetic complementation experiments with cloned RPS2 alleles revealed that the Po-1 allele of RPS2 can function in a Col-0 genetic background, but not in a Po-1 background. The other resistance-determining genes of Po-1 can function, however, as they successfully conferred resistance in combination with the Col-0 allele of RPS2. Domain-swap experiments revealed that in RPS2 , a polymorphism at six amino acids in the LRR region is responsible for this allele-specific ability to function with other host factors.
Mortality after distal radial fractures in the Medicare population

The occurrence of a low energy fracture of the distal radius increases the risk for another, more serious fracture, such as a proximal femoral fracture. Early mortality after a proximal femoral fracture has been widely studied, but the association between a distal radial fracture and mortality is unknown. The date of death for all Medicare beneficiaries who sustained an isolated distal radial fracture in 2007 was determined using Medicare Vital Statistics files. The adjusted mortality rate for each age-sex group was calculated and compared with published US mortality tables. Distal radial fractures were not associated with an increased mortality rate. In fact, beneficiaries had a significantly lower mortality rate after distal radial fractures than the general population. This may be related to the injured beneficiaries' involvement in the healthcare system. Mortality rate did not vary significantly based on time from injury. Our results indicate that any mortality is unlikely to be attributable to the distal radial fracture or its treatment. Level of evidence: III.
Enhanced CO2 capture capacities and efficiencies with N-doped nanoporous carbons synthesized from solvent-modulated, pyridinedicarboxylate-containing Zn-MOFs

This paper describes the pyrolysis of pyridinedicarboxylate-containing Zn-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to form nanoporous carbons with accessible N dopants to adsorb CO2. The optimal materials were synthesized using N-heterocycle additives to control the amount of coordinated DMF in the base MOF structure, thereby increasing its thermal stability prior to pyrolysis.
COMING AND GOING: THE AGENDA OF AN ANNIVERSARY

Gathering between December 8 and 11, 1984, at the commodious old Palmer House in Chicago, the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature had in many ways their most successful Annual Meeting to date. In their regular joint meetings each year since 1971, our two societies have drawn a smaller attendance than do conventions of political scientists or philosophers, not to mention the Modern Language Association. Still, almost 4,000 scholars and students crowded the Palmer House and overflowed into adjoining hotels last December, an increase of 700 over the largest previous meeting (3,200 at the New York Hilton in 1982). In a year when religion and politics was a major topic in the presidential election, such an assembly deserves attention not only for its importance to American education but also for its possible significance to civil society at large. Cultural and religious issues that appeared in Campaign '84 may have deeper roots and likelihood of growth than the electoral machine could allow to appear. The SBL celebrated its 100th anniversary at the joint convention held at Dallas in 1980, while 1984 marked the AAR's 75th anniversary year. Devoted to critical study of the classical biblical literatures, the older society supports the various disciplines-ancient languages, textual criticism, history, and archaeology-concerned with the literatures and religions of the ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean regions. Our own younger society, a more sprawling and diversified organization, currently numbers some 5,222 members (990 of which are institutional members and 1,186 of whom also belong to SBL) who are engaged in the study of religion at private and state universities,
Communism, the cold war, and a company town: the rise and fall of UE Local 709

This case study of the dissolution of United Electrical Workers Local 709 at the Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio, demonstrates that the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) national leadership's ties to international Communism played a major role in the collapse of progressive unionism in the post-World War II era. The article reveals that while the UE's stance on anti-Communist affidavits may have been righteous from a civil liberties standpoint, it left UE loyalists with almost no chance to win a contentious 1948 strike. The Hoover Company, local media, and dissident workers were able to use the Communist issue to divide the membership. In addition, the actions of the Soviet Union after World War II discredited Communism as a counterforce to capitalism, and the UE leadership's continued alignment with the Communist Party severely damaged the UE's legitimacy. This work builds on a growing body of scholarship that denounces cold war hysteria, but shows that Communists in union...
Cellular imaging of deep organ using two-photon Bessel light-sheet nonlinear structured illumination microscopy

In vivo fluorescent cellular imaging of deep internal organs is highly challenging, because the excitation needs to penetrate through strong scattering tissue and the emission signal is degraded significantly by photon diffusion induced by tissue-scattering. We report that by combining two-photon Bessel light-sheet microscopy with nonlinear structured illumination microscopy (SIM), live samples up to 600 microns wide can be imaged by light-sheet microscopy with 500 microns penetration depth, and diffused background in deep tissue light-sheet imaging can be reduced to obtain clear images at cellular resolution in depth beyond 200 microns. We demonstrate in vivo two-color imaging of pronephric glomeruli and vasculature of zebrafish kidney, whose cellular structures located at the center of the fish body are revealed in high clarity by two-color two-photon Bessel light-sheet SIM.
Effects of β-chlornaltrexamine on food intake, body weight and opioid-induced feeding

Abstract β-Chlornaltrexamine (β-CNA) is a non-equilibrium opioid receptor antagonist which alkylates and inactivates opioid receptors. Because opioid peptides are thought to contribute to the regulation of food intake, we examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of β-CNA on the food intake and body weight of male rats. We also tested the ability of β-CNA to block food intake stimulated by selective agonists of kappa, mu and delta opioid receptors: dynorphin A (DYN), Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-(Me)Phe-Gly-ol (DAGO), and [(D-Ser2, Leu5]-enkephalin-Thr6 (DSLET). Treatment with β-CNA caused a long-term (2–4 days) reduction in daily food intake and a concomitant reduction in body weight. An additional experiment indicated that the weight loss after β-CNA treatment could be completely accounted for by the reduction in intake. β-CNA treatment also abolished or greatly attenuated the feeding effects of DAGO, DSLET and DYN, even when these peptides were tested 26 hours after β-CNA administration. The long duration of the effects of β-CNA suggests that this compound will be a useful pharmacological tool in further study of the opioid feeding system.
Science and the Study of Human Communication: An Inquiry from the Other Side of the Two Cultures.

The name “science” may have been wrongly applied to what experts do when they study human communication. Assumptions and methods of the hard sciences do not seem to fit human communication behavior. The result is subversion of human dignity through the production of findings that are method oriented but not productive of generalizations useful either in advancing understanding or in generating a useful technology. The need is to discover a way to anthropomorphize the study of human communication behavior.
Electron density decay measurements using the 447.1 nm line of neutral helium

Abstract The 447.1 nm line of neutral helium has been used to measure the time-dependent decay of the electron density in the afterglow of a pulsed, atmospheric pressure helium discharge. The technique involves using a shutter which consists of a Pockels cell combined with crossed polarizers to gate the light pulse, allowing observation of the spectrum during various time windows in the discharge.
Hispanic ethnicity, race and blood donation in the United States.

The aim of this study was to assess the hypothesis that blood donation rates vary with Hispanic ethnicity (family origin in Spanish-speaking countries) in addition to race in the United States. Lower blood donation rates have been reported among African Americans (AAs) compared with non-Hispanic European Americans (EAs). Adequate published reports on donation rates are not available for Hispanic Americans (HAs). Using data from a 2002 national survey, which included 4923 men and 7600 women aged 15-44 years with complete data, we tested the hypothesis using weighted bivariate and multivariate statistics. Among men aged 25-44 years, the percentage [95% confidence limits (95% CL)] with a history of blood donation since 1985 was similar at ages 25-34 years (46%, 42-49) and 35-44 years (41%, 37-45). It was highest in non-Hispanic EA (49%, 45-52%), intermediate in AA (35%, 30-40%) and lowest in HA (30%, 25-36%) (P or=12 years), poverty ( or=200% poverty limit) and married (yes/no). Variables that are not significantly associated were age, metropolitan residence (yes/no), receipt of public assistance (yes/no), current labour-force participation (yes/no) and religion raised. Compared with non-Hispanic EA, the adjusted odds ratios were essentially the same for Hispanics 0.66 (95% CL 0.47-0.92) and AAs 0.64 (95% CL 0.49-0.84). Only 34% of women had donated blood, but the association with race/ethnicity was similar. Similar patterns were also seen at ages 15-24 years. HAs and AAs have similar low blood donation rates compared with non-Hispanic EAs. The difference is not explained by sociodemographic variables.
The Vision of Eve in Genesis B

THE narrative of the Old English poem Genesis B is remarkable for a number of departures from the traditional account of the Fall of Man. One such departure is the vision of Eve. In brief, part of the devilish emissary's temptation is that if she eats of the fruit she will be granted the sight of heaven. When she has eaten, this vision is granted her, and her description of what she sees becomes in turn a part of her temptation of Adam. It is curious that although the vision of Eve has by no means been without consequence in the interpretation of the poem, there has never been a close consideration of the passages in which the vision is described. In the first of these, the demon tempts Eve by promising, inter alia, that if she eats of the fruit her eyes will become so bright that she will see all the world and the throne of God Himself and henceforth enjoy His favor.
Does counseling work

This paper has had two purposes: (1) to assess the answer to Does Counseling Work? and (2) to assess the effectiveness of counselor education. Neither question has been nor can be answered clearly or unequivocably. In both instances, the weight of evidence is positive but with many qualifications as regards either the effectiveness of counseling or of counselor education. What is less apparent but clearly implicit in the research literature is that improvements are being made in counseling and in counselor education but these are less than generally incorporated into practitioners skills, repetoires, or training sites. We have learned much and can be useful to many people but we still have much to be humble about, at least as reflected in our research literature.
Particulate composites from coated powders

Abstract A method is described for coating SiC whiskers with a thick layer of alumina to form homogeneous alumina matrix/silicon carbide whisker particulate composites. The method uses controlled heterogeneous precipitation in a relatively concentrated suspension of whiskers. The suspension-coated whiskers can be converted to a free-flowing powder after calcination. The processing parameters and the results of consolidation of the composite powder are reported. Nearly fully dense composites, containing over 40 vol.% whiskers, could be prepared.
Purification and partial characterization of tryptophan synthetase from Neurospora crassa

Abstract A method is described for the purification of tryptophan synthetase ( l -serine hydrolyase (assing indole), EC 4.21.20) from Neurospora crassa . 1. 1. Specific activities of 120–250 units/mg protein have been observed in preparations judged to be homogeneous on the basis of ultracentrifugal and electrophoretic criteria. 2. 2. Storage of the purified material at —70° after quick-freezing in liquid nitrogen was found to cause no detectable change in ultracentrifugal properties despite reduction in enzymic activity. In addition, purified material having two widely different activities was shown to possess identical immunochemical properties. 3. 3. The molecular weight of the enzyme is (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10 5 as determined by the Archibald method. 4. 4. The s 20, w 0 was found to be 6.2 ± 0.2 S. 5. 5. The molar frictional ratio of 1.28 was determined from the experimental and calculated molar frictional coefficients.
Dopamine D1 and D2 Agonist Effects on Prepulse Inhibition and Locomotion: Comparison of Sprague-Dawley Rats to Swiss-Webster, 129X1/SvJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J Mice

D2 receptors have been studied in relation to therapeutic uses of dopaminergic drugs, and psychomotor stimulant effects \[as manifested by decreased prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle and increased locomotor activity] are hallmark behavioral effects of D2 agonists in rats. Genetic studies with mutant mice might be useful in this line of investigation; however, recent studies suggest that mice differ from rats with respect to D2 agonist effects. Accordingly, we studied a wide range of doses of the D2-like agonist quinelorane (0.0032–5.6 mg/kg) and the D1-like agonist R -6-Br-APB [ R (+)-6-bromo-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1 H -3-benzazepine hydrobromide\] (0.032–5.6 mg/kg) in outbred Sprague-Dawley rats, outbred Swiss-Webster mice, and inbred 129X1/SvJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/2J mice. Whereas the D2 agonist dose-dependently decreased PPI and increased locomotion in rats, neither of these effects was observed in outbred or inbred mice. In contrast, the D1 agonist reduced PPI and increased locomotion in Sprague-Dawley rats and in Swiss-Webster, 129X1/SvJ, and C57BL/6J mice. Neither agonist decreased PPI in DBA/2J mice, although PPI was increased in this strain by a D2 antagonist. Pretreatment with either the D2 antagonist eticlopride (1 mg/kg) or the D1 antagonist SCH39166 \[(-)- trans -6,7,7 a ,8,9,13 b -hexahydro-3-chloro-2-hydroxy- N -methyl-5 H -benzo[ d ]naptho-(2,1- b )azepine\] (1 mg/kg) prevented the PPI-disruptive effects of quinelorane in rats and R -6-Br-APB in mice, suggesting receptor interactions in both species. In summary, psychomotor stimulant effects of a D2 agonist that were robustly observed in outbred rats were absent in several outbred and inbred strains of mice. These results may have implications for the study of mutant mice to investigate genes involved in psychomotor function in humans.
THE REMAINS OF QUEEN WERET

In the summer of 1995 the Metropolitan Museum of Art's expedition to Dahshur discovered an undisturbed burial of the Middle Kingdom and one of the authors was asked to assist with the moving of the mummy that was still in its sealed sarcophagus. When the lid was removed, the mummy and sarcophagus contents were revealed to be extremely fragile, mostly because of the high humidity (95%) in the tomb. It was clear that a lengthy and careful excavation and recording of the sarcophagus contents would be needed before the mummy could be removed. With a day free, the author was asked to examine the human remains found during excavations of several previous seasons. This paper presents the examination of Queen Weret of Dynasty XII. It should be noted that there were two Queen Werets of Dynasty XII. The body we report here is the wife of Sesostris III. Because of extensive tomb robbing during the Second Intermediate Period and subsequent periods of lawlessness, there are no complete mummies of the kings and queens of the Middle Kingdom; thus any physical remains of these rulers are extremely important. Some of the kings and queens of the Twelfth Dynasty were buried at Dahshur, about fifteen miles southwest of Cairo. The mudbrick pyramids of Amenenhat II, Sesostris III, and Amenenhat III were first excavated by Jacques De Morgan (1894-5) and in addition to these monuments, De Morgan also unearthed royal burials of Dynasty XIII. In 1990 the Metropolitan Museum of Art's team, under the direction of Dieter Arnold, began reexamining the pyramid complex of Sesostris III. Around this 60 meter high pyramid runs a brick enclosure wall. In the area between the wall and the pyramid several royal women, including Queen Weret, were buried far beneath ground level.
An Exact Solution to the Electrostatic Interaction between an Ion-Penetrable Sphere and an Ion-Penetrable Rod

Abstract No exact solution for the free energy of electrostatic interaction for a charged sphere and rod geometry in an electrolyte solution has yet been proposed. This geometry is interesting because it can be applied to describe macromolecules interacting with a random fiber-matrix for modeling of hindered transport in diffusional systems. Here we present an analytical approach that yields an exact solution to the problem for ion-penetrable—also called “soft”—sphere and infinitely long rod. This solution is compared to a published finite-element analysis of the same system with nonpenetrable—also called “hard”—sphere and infinitely long rod maintaining a constant surface charge density restriction. For any ionic strength or ratio of rod radius to sphere radius the ion-penetrable method yields an electrostatic free energy of interaction which is lower than that given by the analysis for hard bodies. This free energy is significantly lower for most parameter value combinations and therefore suggests that one should carefully examine the system being modeled to determine if it is approximated better by a hard body or ion-penetrable body approach.
The trypanosomatid Rieske iron-sulfur proteins have a cleaved presequence that may direct mitochondrial import.

Abstract We have cloned the gene that encodes subunit 4 of the T. brucei cytochrome- c reductase complex and a fragment of the C. fasciculata subunit 4 cDNA and have shown that subunit 4 is the Rieske iron-sulfur protein. The cleaved presequences of the trypanosomatid iron-sulfur proteins resemble conventional mitochondrial targeting presequences but are smaller than other eukaryotic iron-sulfur protein signal peptides.
Fighting back: Lethal responses to predatory attacks

Each year millions of Americans become victims of predatory crimes. The way victims respond to these attacks varies from complicance with offenders' requests to physically challenging offenders. In some cases, the physical defense of self and property has lethal consequences for the initial offender. While much is known about felony murder victims and typical homicide offenders, little is known about individuals who fight back against predatory attack by using lethal violence. In this paper, we use data from the Homicides in Chicago, 1965–1995 study to describe the characteristics of defensive homicide offenders and to determine how they compare with felony murder victims and defensive homicide offenders. Our results indicate that defensive homicide offenders are more similar to typical homicide offenders than felony murder victims, and are even more likely to have violent criminal histories and to use firearms than typical homicide offenders. Our results challenge the common perception that individuals who fight back against predatory attack are simply “law-abiding citizens.” We conclude the paper with a discussion of the implications of our study for additional research and police practice.
The P4-ATPase TAT-5 Inhibits the Budding of Extracellular Vesicles in C. elegans Embryos

Summary Background Cells release extracellular vesicles (ECVs) that can influence differentiation, modulate the immune response, promote coagulation, and induce metastasis. Many ECVs form by budding outwards from the plasma membrane, but the molecules that regulate budding are unknown. In ECVs, the outer leaflet of the membrane bilayer contains aminophospholipids that are normally sequestered to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, suggesting a role for lipid asymmetry in ECV budding. Results We show that loss of the conserved P4-ATPase TAT-5 causes the large-scale shedding of ECVs and disrupts cell adhesion and morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. TAT-5 localizes to the plasma membrane and its loss results in phosphatidylethanolamine exposure on cell surfaces. We show that RAB-11 and endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins, which regulate the topologically analogous process of viral budding, are enriched at the plasma membrane in tat-5 embryos, and are required for ECV production. Conclusions TAT-5 is the first protein identified to regulate ECV budding. TAT-5 provides a potential molecular link between loss of phosphatidylethanolamine asymmetry and the dynamic budding of vesicles from the plasma membrane, supporting the hypothesis that lipid asymmetry regulates budding. Our results also suggest that viral budding and ECV budding may share common molecular mechanisms.
Amphetamine-evoked dopamine release from guinea-pig striatum is potentiated by environmental stress, a need for habituation with microdialysis equipment

The microdialysis technique has been successfully applied to a study of amphetamine-evoked dopamine release in the striatum of conscious, freely-moving guinea-pigs. Basal levels of dopamine in guinea-pig striatal dialysates were comparable with published data from studies in rats. There were marked differences in the relative proportions of the two main dopamine metabolites in the guinea-pig compared to those reported previously in the rat, suggesting differences in the fate of dopamine between the species. Amphetamine caused an increase in dopamine and a decrease in dopamine metabolites in striatal dialysates. The increase in dopamine levels correlated with the increased incidence of head tics. Both the changes in dopamine levels and the incidence of head tics were less in animals which previously had been habituated with the experimental apparatus. Dopamine metabolite changes were unaffected by habituation, suggesting that the metabolites derive, at least in part, from sources other than released dopamine. These observations suggest that stress produced by a novel environment potentiate the response, both neurochemical and behavioural, to amphetamine. Care should be taken in the design of experiments to minimize stress factors.
Effect of population stratification analysis on false-positive rates for common and rare variants

Principal components analysis (PCA) has been successfully used to correct for population stratification in genome-wide association studies of common variants. However, rare variants also have a role in common disease etiology. Whether PCA successfully controls population stratification for rare variants has not been addressed. Thus we evaluate the effect of population stratification analysis on false-positive rates for common and rare variants at the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and gene level. We use the simulation data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 and compare false-positive rates with and without PCA at the SNP and gene level. We found that SNPs’ minor allele frequency (MAF) influenced the ability of PCA to effectively control false discovery. Specifically, PCA reduced false-positive rates more effectively in common SNPs (MAF > 0.05) than in rare SNPs (MAF < 0.01). Furthermore, at the gene level, although false-positive rates were reduced, power to detect true associations was also reduced using PCA. Taken together, these results suggest that sequence-level data should be interpreted with caution, because extremely rare SNPs may exhibit sporadic association that is not controlled using PCA.
Review: CABG and percutaneous coronary intervention do not differ for long-term mortality in multivessel coronary artery disease

Source Citation Hlatky MA, Boothroyd DB, Bravata DM, et al. Coronary artery bypass surgery compared with percutaneous coronary interventions for multivessel disease: a collaborative analysis of ind...
The use of online supplementary material in high-impact scientific journals

SUMMARY An increasing number of journals are allowing scientists to submit supplementary material with their articles. The presentation of supplementary information is characterized by a variety of technologies and formats. This study examines the use of supplementary material in a selective sample of high-impact journals from the pure and applied sciences. The authors review publishers' policies concerning the submission of supplementary material and discuss the formats permitted. Recommendations for enhancing access to supplementary material and insuring its effective use by scholars are provided.
Short-and long-term changes in right whale calling behavior : The potential effects of noise on acoustic communication

The impact of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals has been an area of increasing concern over the past two decades. Most low-frequency anthropogenic noise in the ocean comes from commercial shipping which has contributed to an increase in ocean background noise over the past 150 years. The long-term impacts of these changes on marine mammals are not well understood. This paper describes both short- and long-term behavioral changes in calls produced by the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and South Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena australis) in the presence of increased low-frequency noise. Right whales produce calls with a higher average fundamental frequency and they call at a lower rate in high noise conditions, possibly in response to masking from low-frequency noise. The long-term changes have occurred within the known lifespan of individual whales, indicating that a behavioral change, rather than selective pressure, has resulted in the observed differences. This study provides evidence of a behavioral change in sound production of right whales that is correlated with increased noise levels and indicates that right whales may shift call frequency to compensate for increased band-limited background noise.
In Search of Late Career: A Review of Contemporary Social Science Research Applicable to the Understanding of Late Career

Abstract Concerns expressed in the mid-1990s about the lack of research on late career are no longer valid. There is a growing body of research; however, it is scattered across a range of disciplines. In an effort to gather current thinking on late career, this review draws upon work addressing chronological aging, labor economics, sociology and social psychology, retirement research, human resource management, and career theory. Several cross-disciplinary observations were made: (1) Cognitive declines with age are not sufficient to impact work performance; (2) Current economic models assume declining productivity among older workers, but this reflects perceptions rather than reality; (3) Aging may be better understood as a series of discrete transformations rather than as a continuous process of decline; (4) A productive use of older workers recognizes individuals' specific strengths and the increasingly distinctive individual differences among older workers.
Prevalence of denervation in paraspinal and foot intrinsic musculature

Dumitru D, Diaz CA, King JC: Prevalence of denervation in paraspinal and foot intrinsic musculature. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001;80:482–490.ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of abnormal spontaneous activity (positive sharp waves (PSWs) and fibrillation
Crystal Structure of Carbapenam Synthetase (CarA)

Carbapenam synthetase (CarA) is an ATP/Mg2+-dependent enzyme that catalyzes formation of the β-lactam ring in (5R)-carbapenem-3-carboxylic acid biosynthesis. CarA is homologous to β-lactam synthetase (β-LS), which is involved in clavulanic acid biosynthesis. The catalytic cycles of CarA and β-LS mediate substrate adenylation followed by β-lactamization via a tetrahedral intermediate or transition state. Another member of this family of ATP/Mg2+-dependent enzymes, asparagine synthetase (AS-B), catalyzes intermolecular, rather than intramolecular, amide bond formation in asparagine biosynthesis. The crystal structures of apo-CarA and CarA complexed with the substrate (2S,5S)-5-carboxymethylproline (CMPr), ATP analog α,β-methyleneadenosine 5′-triphosphate (AMP-CPP), and a single Mg2+ ion have been determined. CarA forms a tetramer. Each monomer resembles β-LS and AS-B in overall fold, but key differences are observed. The N-terminal domain lacks the glutaminase active site found in AS-B, and an extended loop region not observed in β-LS or AS-B is present. Comparison of the C-terminal synthetase active site to that in β-LS reveals that the ATP binding site is highly conserved. By contrast, variations in the substrate binding pocket reflect the different substrates of the two enzymes. The Mg2+ coordination is also different. Several key residues in the active site are conserved between CarA and β-LS, supporting proposed roles in β-lactam formation. These data provide further insight into the structures of this class of enzymes and suggest that CarA might be a versatile target for protein engineering experiments aimed at developing improved production methods and new carbapenem antibiotics.
Basic research: Salt wasting in distal renal tubular acidosis-new look, old problem

Acidosis affects sodium and potassium excretion, likely via the pH sensitivity of ion transporters. A recent paper shows that β-intercalated cells with deleted H(+)-ATPase release ATP into urine, which induces the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 then reduces sodium absorption in the principal cells of the cortical collecting tubule and increases potassium secretion.
Environmental Philosophy: From Theory to Practice

Environmental philosophy is a hybrid discipline drawing extensively from epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of science and analyzing disciplines such as conservation biology, restoration ecology, sustainability studies, and political ecology. The book being discussed both provides an overview of environmental philosophy and develops an anthropocentric framework for it. That framework treats natural values as deep cultural values. Tradeoffs between natural values are analyzed using decision theory to the extent possible, leaving many interesting question for philosophical deliberation. This framework is supposed to be applicable in practical contexts.
Overexpression of A3 adenosine receptors in smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle is lethal to embryos.

Abstract The profile of expression of the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) and its importance during embryo development were explored. To this end, different ages of mouse embryos (8.5 days and older) were subjected to in situ hybridization with an A3AR riboprobe. No expression was found in any embryonic tissue except for the aorta and heart of 15.5-day embryos. To investigate further the role of the A3AR gene in development, we overexpressed this gene in A3AR knockout and wild-type mice by using the SM22α promoter. This promoter is active in smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle lineages during early embryogenesis (at 8.5 days or earlier), becoming restricted to vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells in late fetal development and adult mice. We observed that moderate copy number incorporation (four copies) of the A3AR gene driven by the SM22α promoter is sufficient to induce lethality at an early stage of embryo development. Remains of 8.5-day transgenic embryos were collected, including fragmented DNA. Hence, we speculate that A3AR homeostasis is critical for embryo viability and proper development. This finding is intriguing in view of the reported effects of sustained activation of the A3AR on induction of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in cultured myocytes and other cell types.
Magmatic strains and foliation triple points of the Merrimac plutons, northern Sierra Nevada, California: implications for pluton emplacement and timing of subduction

Abstract Cross-cutting relationships between regional structures and post-tectonic plutons of known age are commonly used to date regional deformation in orogenic belts. In order to show that a pluton is post-tectonic one must demonstrate that the strains within the pluton are not due to regional tectonic processes. This paper reports strain measurements associated with pluton emplacement in northern Sierra Nevada. These strain data and a microstructural analysis indicate that strains within the Merrimac plutons are due to igneous not tectonic processes, which strengthens the hypothesis that the plutons were emplaced after the formation of regional structures and melanges. Radiometric ages of the Merrimac pluton, in concert with structural data, place a more reliable upper Jurassic limit on the age of the subduction in the Western Belt of northern Sierra Nevada. This paper also reports constrictional strains around plutons, and suggests that the Merrimac plutons contributed significantly to the ductile strains observed in the wall rocks.
Designing localized algorithms for barrier coverage

Global barrier coverage that requires much fewer sensors than full coverage, is known to be an appropriate model of coverage for movement detection applications such as intrusion detection. However, it has been proved that given a sensor deployment, sensors can not locally determine whether the deployment provides global barrier coverage, making it impossible to develop localized algorithms, thus limiting its use in practice.In this paper, we introduce the concept of local barrier coverage to address this limitation. Motivated by the observation that movements are likely to follow a shorter path in crossing a belt region, local barrier coverage guarantees the detection of all movements whose trajectory is confined to a slice of the belt region of deployment. We prove that it is possible for individual sensors to locally determine the existence of local barrier coverage, even when the region of deployment is arbitrarily curved. Although local barrier coverage does not always guarantee global barrier coverage, we show that for thin belt regions, local barrier coverage almost always provides global barrier coverage. To demonstrate that local barrier coverage can be used to design localized algorithms, we develop a novel sleep-wakeup algorithm for maximizing the network lifetime, called Localized Barrier Coverage Protocol (LBCP). We show that LBCP provides close to optimalenhancement in network lifetime, while providing global barrier coverage most of the time. It outperforms an existing algorithm called Randomized Independent Sleeping (RIS) by up to 6 times.
Reproducibility of the heart rate variability responses to graded lower body negative pressure

The reproducibility of heart rate variability (HRV) measures during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) have not been studied in sufficient detail. Active college age men (n=14) underwent an orientation exposure and two trials of graded LBNP to presyncope or -100 mmHg, separated by 1 week. Heart rate, stroke volume (impedance cardiography), blood pressure (Finapres), and forearm blood flow were assessed, as was HRV in both time and frequency domains. The trial-to-trial responses to LBNP common to all subjects (LBNP< or =-60 mmHg and at test termination) showed parallel changes, suggesting similar responses between both trials. Good reproducibility estimates were found for the resting HRV data (lowest: R=0.62 for low frequency/high frequency ratio; highest: R=0.94 for standard deviation of normal R-R intervals). During LBNP, reproducibility estimates varied but were generally similar to that seen at rest. At test termination, they were unacceptably low (R<0.41) for the HRV data assessed in the frequency domain and expressed in absolute units. LBNP tolerance was lower in the first trial [LBNP tolerance index: 404 (21) versus 437 (15) mmHg min(-1); P<0.05] but the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (R=0.87). These data suggest that (1) HRV responses to submaximal LBNP up to -60 mmHg are consistent across trials, (2) the considerable variability seen in the HRV parameters at maximal LBNP can be reduced by expressing these data in either the time domain or using normalized units in the frequency domain, and (3) cardiovascular responses to sub- and maximal LBNP are reproducible. Data are presented as mean (SEM) unless otherwise stated.
The adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) selectable marker system

Abstract Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT; EC 2.4.2.7) is a potential plant selectable marker that has substrate-dependent, bi-directional positive selection. APRT has been used successfully as a selectable marker in both animal and bacterial systems and has been shown to function in plant systems. The APRT selectable marker system is different from selectable marker systems that identify antibiotic or herbicide resistant plants because it uses simple substrate-dependent positive selection methods for both the functional (APRT+) and non-functional (APRT-) enzyme. When it is used in conjunction with either antisense or ribozyme technology, APRT can be developed as a multiple-use selectable marker system.
Superconformal N=1 gauge theories, β-function invariants and their behavior under Seiberg duality

Abstract In this paper we discuss some aspects of the behavior of superconformal N =1 models under Seiberg's duality. Our claim is that if an electric gauge theory is superconformal on some marginal subspace of all coupling constants then its magnetic dual must be also superconformal on a corresponding moduli space of dual couplings. However this does not imply that the magnetic dual of a completely finite N =1 gauge theory is again finite. Moreover we generalize this statement conjecturing that also for non-superconformal N =1 models the determinant of the β -function equations is invariant under Seiberg duality. During the course of this investigation we construct some superconformal N =1 gauge theories which were not yet discussed before.
A COMPARISON OF VASCULAR INFLAMMATION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, PSORIASIS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS BY FDG-PET/CT: A PILOT STUDY

Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis may increase cardiovascular diseases (CVD) beyond traditional risk factors. We have previously shown that vascular inflammation by FDG PET/CT is increased in patients with psoriasis; however, whether similar patterns exist in RA
Allylic or Benzylic Stabilization Is Essential for Catalysis by Bacterial Benzyl Alcohol Dehydrogenases

Abstract Benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase fromAcinetobacter calcoaceticus(AC-BADH) and TOL plasmid-encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase fromPseudomonas putida(TOL-BADH) have previously been shown to oxidize a variety of aromatic alcohols but not aliphatic substrates. Here, we have expressed the genes for AC-BADH and TOL-BADH inEscherichia coli,purified the resulting over-expressed enzymes, and shown that each is an effective catalyst of both benzylic and allylic alcohol oxidation, but not of oxidation of nonallylic analogs. Enzyme specificity (kcat/Km) for both enzymes was higher with an aliphatic, allylic alcohol (3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol) than with benzyl alcohol. These results suggest that bacterial benzyl alcohol dehydrogenases use the resonance stabilization provided by allylic and benzylic alcohols to promote catalysis.
W28 and 3C 400.2 - Two shell-like radio supernova remnants with centrally peaked X-ray morphologies

The paper describes X-ray and optical observations with the Einstein Observatory of two SNRs which are examples of a group of SNRs that have centrally peaked X-ray surface brightness distributions and limb-brightened radio morphologies. X-ray and optical spectra confirm that they are located along lines of sight with substantial intervening absorption, as is the case of other objects that have these morphological characteristics. The hydrogen column density along the line of sight to both remnants is established at (7-11) x 10 to the 21st/sq cm. A thermal origin is proposed as the most likely explanation for the X-ray morphology. It is demonstrated that these SNRs do not have a density and temperature distribution which resembles that of a point explosion in a uniform-density medium, even when the overburden of absorption is considered.
Cardiology and the Quality of Medical Practice: A Response

THE ARTICLE prepared for this issue of JAMA by the Cardiology Working Group 1 is more evidence from concerned citizens (medical and nonmedical) of the need to explore the issues of and search for solutions to the escalation of health care costs that threaten the solvency of our health care system. The Cardiology Working Group is composed of distinguished individuals from the fields of medicine, law, business, and economics. It is my understanding that this article is a distillation of discussions held by this group over a period of many months. Their concern for the appropriate utilization of "proved effective and beneficial" resources in our medical care system is succinctly articulated. I believe what they are searching for is "value" in health care. Value is a personal measure of benefit, as well as a measure of cost. Value in health is subjective and, in many instances, undefined or unknown. Value
Influence of crowded cellular environments on protein folding, binding, and oligomerization: Biological consequences and potentials of atomistic modeling

Recent experiments inside cells and in cytomimetic conditions have demonstrated that the crowded environments found therein can significantly reshape the energy landscapes of individual protein molecules and their oligomers. The resulting shifts in populations of conformational and oligomeric states have numerous biological consequences, e.g., concerning the efficiency of replication and transcription, the development of aggregation-related diseases, and the efficacy of small-molecule drugs. Some of the effects of crowding can be anticipated from hard-particle theoretical models, but the in vitro and in vivo measurements indicate that these effects are often subtle and complex. These observations, coupled with recent computational studies at the atomistic level, suggest that the latter detailed modeling may be required to yield a quantitative understanding on the influence of crowded cellular environments.
Protein casting: A new replication technique for observing fluid surface structures

Certain insoluble copolymers form characteristic liquid crystalline structures at water/copolymer interfaces. The formation of these structures, discernable with phase contrast microscopy, correlates with biological activities as immunological adjuvants. In order to study such structures at the electron microscopic level, it was necessary to develop a preparation technique which preserved the water/polymer interface. A technique was devised, here called “protein casting,” which uses highly concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in water, subsequently fixed with glutaraldehyde, to form a replica of the water/polymer interface. These casts appeared highly accurate at low magnifications, and resolved to less than 1onm. This technique seems ideal for accurate replication of surfaces formed by nonmiscible liquids and should prove helpful in studies of other materials in aqueous suspension.