cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic multi-source multi-INT intel fusion benefit analysis

The Process for Probabilistic Multi-Source Multi-INT Intel Fusion Benefit Analysis** (PIFBA) provides a methodology for statistically computing the probability of detecting, locating, and tracking objects in order to assess current capabilities or the benefit of adding or removing ISR assets in order to obtain the statistically optimal result. The PIFBA process defines the approach to calculate the probabilistic benefits or rewards associated with integrating or fusing multisource multi-INT products across a wide range of platforms, sensors, environmental conditions and target objects. This process applies to analyzing ISR capabilities, effectiveness, and gaps, as well as the benefits of applying existing or new technology and tactics. The PIFBA process was designed to answer the following questions:  Based on the defined ISR assets – what is the probability that we know a piece of Intel with sufficient accuracy and timeliness to be of value to the analyst or warfighter?  What is the benefit of adding new data via additional platforms, sensors, or processing?  What is the benefit of adding new systems or technology and to what degree of performance must they exhibit in order to affect the statistical outcome?
Multipartner Fertility and Child Support

The growth in divorce and non-marital fertility in the United States has spurred complex family structures formed as a result of multipartner fertility, where parents who share at least one child together also have children with other partners. This study examines how multipartner fertility among men and women affect non-resident fathers’ child support contributions, measured by payments towards and compliance with court-mandated child support orders. The study utilizes longitudinal data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N=2,612) to show that child support contributions are significantly lowered by female multipartner childbearing once omitted variable bias is addressed.
Reconsideration of X, the Diiron Intermediate Formed during Cofactor Assembly in E. coli Ribonucleotide Reductase

The R2 subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) contains a stable tyrosyl radical (•Y122) diferric cluster cofactor. Earlier studies on the cofactor assembly reaction detected a paramagnetic intermediate, X, that was found to be kinetically competent to oxidize Y122. Studies using rapid freeze-quench (RFQ) Mossbauer and EPR spectroscopies led to the proposal that X is comprised of two high spin ferric ions and a S = 1/2 ligand radical, mutually spin coupled to give a S = 1/2 ground state (Ravi, N.; Bollinger, J. M., Jr.; Huynh, B. H.; Edmondson, D. E.; Stubbe, J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 8007−8014). An extension of RFQ methodology to Q-band ENDOR spectroscopy using 57Fe has shown that one of the irons has a very nearly isotropic hyperfine tensor (A(FeA) = −[74.2(2), 72.2(2), 73.2(2)] MHz) as expected for FeIII, but that the other iron site displays considerable anisotropy (A(FeB) = +[27.5(2), 36.8(2), 36.8(2)] MHz), indicative of substantial FeIV character. Reanalysis of the Mossbaue...
Ebola Virus VP35-VP40 Interaction Is Sufficient for Packaging 3E-5E Minigenome RNA into Virus-Like Particles

The packaging of viral genomic RNA into nucleocapsids and subsequently into virions is not completely understood. Phosphoprotein (P) and nucleoprotein (NP) interactions link NP-RNA complexes with P-L (polymerase) complexes to form viral nucleocapsids. The nucleocapsid then interacts with the viral matrix protein, leading to specific packaging of the nucleocapsid into the virion. A mammalian two-hybrid assay and confocal microscopy were used to demonstrate that Ebola virus VP35 and VP40 interact and colocalize in transfected cells. VP35 was packaged into budding virus-like particles (VLPs) as observed by protease protection assays. Moreover, VP40 and VP35 were sufficient for packaging an Ebola virus minignome RNA into VLPs. Results from immunoprecipitation-reverse transcriptase PCR experiments suggest that VP35 confers specificity of the nucleocapsid for viral genomic RNA by direct VP35-RNA interactions.
A Method for Direct Measurement of Multiaxial Stress-Strain Curves in Sheet Metal

A method has been developed that allows measurement of stress-strain curves for sheet metal being deformed in multiaxial tension. The strain state is imposed using a modification of the Marciniak in-plane biaxial stretching test. Resulting stresses are measured using a modified X-ray diffraction (XRD) residual stress measurement system. This system is flexible enough to allow spatial mapping of in-plane stress and measurement of stresses at specific locations of interest on the sample, such as developing localizations. Results are presented correlating measurements on a thin strip of AA5182 with data from standard uniaxial tension test. Also presented are experimentally determined curves for this material in balanced biaxial tension in both the rolling and transverse directions.
Clinical experience with Acanthamoeba keratitis at the cole eye institute, 1999-2008.

Purpose:To review the clinical presentations, risk factors, medical and surgical management, and outcomes of patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).Methods:Retrospective review of laboratory and medical records of all patients suspected of having AK from January 1999 through May 2008 at Cole Eye
The Role of Fiber Cohesion in DP Treatments of Cotton

Cotton twill fabrics were subjected to conventional pad-dry-cure DP treatments with Permafresh 183 and the "im proved" wet-fixation treatment. The mechanical properties of the treated fabrics, warp yarns, and single fibers were determined, and the results for the two treatments were compared. It appears that, with the exception of the wrinkle recovery angle, the wet-fixation treatments resulted in properties equivalent to those obtained with conventional treat ments with much lower add-ons. This leads to the hypothesis that changes in fiber-fiber interactions are responsible for the improved performance of the samples that had received the wet-fixation treatments. A method was developed that permits the determination of fiber cohesive interactions. Relationships between such interactions, and surface modifica tions, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, and wrinkle recovery angle were established. While the conventional pad-dry-cure DP treatment resulted in low cohesive interactions, which were ind...
Normal gradients of velocity formulation versus surface traction formulation in velocity-pressure integrated FEM

Abstract In this paper, we use the Galerkin weighted residual finite element method to study a surface tension driven flow occurring in the floating-zone crystal growth process under low-gravity condition. In the present velocity-pressure integrated finite element method, it is shown that the normal gradients of velocity formulation results in locally unacceptable calculation results. On the other hand, the surface traction formulation can avoid these troubles since mass conservation is achieved everywhere.
Expenditures and votes: In search of downward-sloping curves in the United States and Great Britain

An earlier paper showed a negative relation between increases and accelerations in F, the ratio of federal expenditures to GNP and E, the reelection or defeat of the incumbent party in the White House over the last 100 years. This paper argues that there also exists a negative relation between V, the percentage of the popular vote cast for the incumbents, and F. This function is displaced by wars and depressions and can drift over time, making it difficult to discover negative curves in the data. Dividing British and US data for the last 50 years into party periods yields clearly discernable negative functions for F and V for the incumbents.
Wanted: A Prophetic Pedagogy: A Response to Our Critics

(2002). Wanted: A Prophetic Pedagogy: A Response to Our Critics. Curriculum Inquiry: Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 341-347.
Double-gap Alfvén eigenmodes: revisiting eigenmode interaction with the alfvén continuum.

A new type of global shear Alfven Eigenmode is found in tokamak plasmas where the mode localization is in the region intersecting the Alfven continuum. The eigenmode is formed by the coupling of two solutions from two adjacent gaps (akin to potential wells) in the shear Alfven continuum. For tokamak plasmas with reversed magnetic shear it is shown that the toroidiciy-induced solution tunnels through the continuum to match the ellipticity-induced Alfven eigenmode (TAE and EAE, respectively) so that the resulting solution is continuous at the point of resonance with the continuum. The existence of these Double Gap Alfven Eigenmodes (DGAEs) allows for potentially new ways of coupling edge fields to the plasma core in conditions where the core region is conventionally considered inaccessible. Implications include new approaches to heating and current drive in fusion plasmas as well as its possible use as core diagnostic in burning plasmas.
Quantum dynamics of a planar model for the complex forming OH+CO→H+CO2 reaction

The quantum dynamics of three and four degrees‐of‐freedom planar models of the OH+CO→H+CO2 reaction are discussed. These computationally intensive calculations, which are carried out on a scalable parallel computer, illustrate the role of HOCO reaction intermediates or scattering resonances. The results are contrasted with previous two and three degrees‐of‐freedom quantum results, as well as with two, three, four, and six degrees‐of‐freedom quasiclassical trajectory calculations. While our quantum calculations are restricted to total angular momentum J=0, it is possible to estimate the thermal rate constant using a J‐shifting approximation, and to make comparison with experiment and previous full‐dimensional classical trajectory results.
Stereotactic ablative radiosurgery for locally advanced or recurrent skull base malignancies with prior external beam radiation therapy.

Purpose: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is an attractive modality to treat malignancies invading the skull base as it can deliver a highly conformal dose with minimal toxicity. However, variation exists in the prescribed dose and fractionation. The purpose of our study is to examine the local control, survival and toxicities in SABR for the treatment of malignant skull base tumors. Methods and Materials: A total of 31 patients and 40 locally-advanced or recurrent head and neck malignancies involving the skull base treated with a common SABR regimen which delivers a radiation dose of 44 Gy in 5 fractions from January 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The local control rate (LC), progression-free survival rate (PFS), overall survival rate (OS) and toxicities were reported. Results: The median follow-up time of all patients was 11.4 months (range: 0.6-67.2 months). The median tumor volume was 27 cm3 (range: 2.4-205 cm3). All patients received prior EBRT with a median radiation dose of 64 Gy (range: 24-75.6 Gy) delivered in 12 to 42 fractions. 20 patients had surgeries prior to SABR. 19 patients received chemotherapy. Specifically, 8 patients received concurrent cetuximab (ErbituxTM) with SABR. The median time-to-progression (TTP) was 3.3 months (range: 0-16.9 months). For the 29 patients (93.5%) who died, the median time from the end of first SABR to death was 10.3 months (range: 0.5-41.4 months). The estimated 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 35%. The estimated 2-year OS rate was 12%. Treatment was well-tolerated without grade 4 or 5 treatment-related toxicities. Conclusions: SABR has been shown to achieve low toxicities in locally-advanced or recurrent, previously irradiated head and neck malignancies invading the skull base.
Hatchery methods and natural, hormone-implant-induced, and synchronized spawning of captive Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) Linnaeus 1766

Abstract The Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus Linnaeus 1766 is a candidate for multiple purpose aquaculture production including use as a baitfish and foodfish. Controlled production of Atlantic croaker could alleviate seasonal availability, establish a steady supply, provide size-specific grades of bait, alleviate pressure on wild stocks, diversify aquaculture businesses, and contribute to foodfish sales. To achieve these potential benefits, development of commercial-scale spawning protocols must occur. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine: 1) if Atlantic croaker could be passively spawned in a captive environment; 2) if hormone implants could be used to actively spawn Atlantic croaker or improve fecundity; 3) if environmental control and hormone implants could be used to synchronize spawning of Atlantic croaker. Wild broodfish (mean ± SE; 329 ± 11 g; 28.7 ± 0.3 cm TL) were captured from Trinity Bay, Texas, pellet trained, and held under controlled photoperiod and temperature conditions. The treatments used were: 1) natural spawning (no hormone treatments); 2) pre-optimal temperature hormone implant (implant injected at 25 °C; 75 μg salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue; sGnRHa); 3) optimal temperature hormone implant (implant injected at 23 °C; 75 μg sGnRHa); or 4) post-optimal temperature hormone implant (implant injected at 21 °C; 75 μg sGnRHa). The total production from all treatments ( N = 36 females; 24 males) included 30 total spawning events during the 120 day study, which yielded 2,922,510 eggs (3064 mL eggs). The mean water temperature and photoperiod at time of spawning were 19.9 °C and 10.1 h of daylight, respectively. The post-optimal implant treatment resulted in a greater number of spawning events per tank (5.0 ± 0.0), the shortest period of latency (3 ± 0 days), larger volume of eggs·spawning event (170 ± 40 mL), greater quantity of eggs·spawning event (160,203 ± 37,943), and greater fertilization rate (51.9 ± 5.6%) than the other hormone implant treatments. The fish allowed to spawn naturally or in the post-optimal treatment often produced similar results, but fish in the post-optimal treatment produced more spawns per tank (5.0 ± 0.0 compared to 1.7 ± 0.3), had greater fecundity (267,004 ± 33,191 eggs·female compared to 49,090 ± 22,061 eggs·female), and spawning was highly synchronized (5 days compared to 33 days). The results of this study demonstrate that Atlantic croaker can be spawned passively in a captive environment, but hormone implants used to actively induce spawning can improve fecundity and synchronize spawning for commercial production.
An Assessment of Waterspout Frequencies along the U. S. East and Gulf Coasts

Abstract Ship reports dating back to the 1880's and Storm Data (1959–73) are used to assess the threat posed by waterspouts to existing and proposed floating offshore nuclear power plants along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. In particular, it is found that the primary warm axis of the Gulf Stream and large coastal bays and inland waterways are favored regions of waterspout occurrence. A list of the ten most active coastal regions, in terms of reported waterspouts per unit area, is synthesized. It is shown that after the Florida Keys, the most prolific waterspout region is the entire southeast Florida Coast (Stuart to Homestead). Tampa Bay has had the greatest number of damaging waterspouts.
Management of fever of unknown origin in patients with neoplasms and neutropenia.

During 81 febrile episodes, 76 cancer patients with neutropenia were randomly allocated to continue or discontinue antibiotics 4 days after initiation of carbenicillin and cephalothin therapy, if no infection had been demonstrated. During 56 episodes, the patients became afebrile, after initiation of antibiotics. Infection as a cause of fever was identified in 21% of the episodes. The cause of fever could not be identified in 72% of the episodes. Three of 30 patients randomized to discontinue antibiotics developed infection which ultimately caused their death. During 25 episodes, the patients remained febrile. Infection was the ultimate cause of fever in 40% of the episodes. The cause of fever could not be identified in 48%. The majority of infections documented in this group responded when gentamicin was added. Antibiotic therapy with carbenicillin and cephalothin is effective initial therapy for fever due to presumptive infection. If, after 4 days of therapy, no infection is documented and the patient is responding, the antibiotics should be continued for an additional 3 to 5 days. However, for patients not responding after the initial 4 days of therapy, the addition of gentamicin is indicated.
Molecular pathways of pancreatic carcinogenesis

Pancreatic cancer has one of the poorest prognoses among human neoplasms, with an overall five-year survival rate of 3%. Thus, there are significant efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development pancreatic cancer that might lead to effective diagnostic and treatment strategies that improve the prognosis of the disease. In this review, we discuss signaling pathways that control cell growth, differentiation and migration that are dysregulated in this cancer. Particular emphasis is given to the potential there is to manipulate these pathways for therapeutic purposes.
T box transcription antitermination riboswitch: influence of nucleotide sequence and orientation on tRNA binding by the antiterminator element.

Many bacteria utilize riboswitch transcription regulation to monitor and appropriately respond to cellular levels of important metabolites or effector molecules. The T box transcription antitermination riboswitch responds to cognate uncharged tRNA by specifically stabilizing an antiterminator element in the 5′-untranslated mRNA leader region and precluding formation of a thermodynamically more stable terminator element. Stabilization occurs when the tRNA acceptor end base pairs with the first four nucleotides in the seven nucleotide bulge of the highly conserved antiterminator element. The significance of the conservation of the antiterminator bulge nucleotides that do not base pair with the tRNA is unknown, but they are required for optimal function. In vitro selection was used to determine if the isolated antiterminator bulge context alone dictates the mode in which the tRNA acceptor end binds the bulge nucleotides. No sequence conservation beyond complementarity was observed and the location was not constrained to the first four bases of the bulge. The results indicate that formation of a structure that recognizes the tRNA acceptor end in isolation is not the determinant driving force for the high phylogenetic sequence conservation observed within the antiterminator bulge. Additional factors or T box leader features more likely influenced the phylogenetic sequence conservation.
Computation with error injection

In the context of computational fluid dynamics, the adaptive refinement technique with truncation error injection due to Fung et al (1984) is extended to include differences in the governing equations being used on the fine and coarse grids. This method allows the decoupling of a problem of multiple length scales into problems of simple length scale which can be more efficiently resolved on separate grids and using different formulations pertinent to the length scales than on a single grid. Three variants of this method are exemplified with applications to problems in computational fluid dynamics. Substantial savings in computer time and storage are achieved in the examples.
Estimation of Fine-Scale Recombination Intensity Variation in the white–echinus Interval of D. melanogaster

Accurate assessment of local recombination rate variation is crucial for understanding the recombination process and for determining the impact of natural selection on linked sites. In Drosophila, local recombination intensity has been estimated primarily by statistical approaches, by estimating the local slope of the relationship between the physical and genetic maps. However, these estimates are limited in resolution and, as a result, the physical scale at which recombination intensity varies in Drosophila is largely unknown. Although there is some evidence suggesting as much as a 40-fold variation in crossover rate at a local scale in D. pseudoobscura, little is known about the fine-scale structure of recombination rate variation in D. melanogaster. Here we experimentally examine the fine-scale distribution of crossover events in a 1.2-Mb region on the D. melanogaster X chromosome using a classic genetic mapping approach. Our results show that crossover frequency is significantly heterogeneous within this region, varying approximately 3.5-fold. Simulations suggest that this degree of heterogeneity is sufficient to affect levels of standing nucleotide diversity, although the magnitude of this effect is small. We recover no statistical association between empirical estimates of nucleotide diversity and recombination intensity, which is likely due to the limited number of loci sampled in our population genetic data set. However, codon bias is significantly negatively correlated with fine-scale recombination intensity estimates, as expected. Our results shed light on the relevant physical scale to consider in evolutionary analyses relating to recombination rate and highlight the motivations to increase the resolution of the recombination map in Drosophila.
Photogrammetric Measurement of Nerve Fiver Layer Thickness

To measure retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness, three sets of simultaneous stereophotographs of the optic disc, taken with the Donaldson fundus camera, were measured at 5 degrees intervals in a stereoplotter (Kern PG2) at the surface of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) along the disc margin. The NFL thickness was expressed as a ratio of the vertical disc radius. The reproducibility of the method showed that the percent coefficients of variation (CV%) for 15 normal, 10 ocular hypertensive, and 10 glaucomatous subjects were 5.2%, 6.0%, and 3.9%, respectively. The presence of a halo or scleral crescent had no significant effect on reproducibility. The photogrammetric technique for measuring NFL thickness appears to be highly reproducible and sensitive and may be a valuable quantitative method for: (1) early detection of optic nerve damage from glaucoma and other optic neuropathies and (2) monitoring progression of retinal NFL defects.
Self-Pressurization and Spray Cooling Simulations of the Multipurpose Hydrogen Test Bed (MHTB) Ground-Based Experiment

This paper presents a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model for simulating the self-pressurization of a large scale liquid hydrogen storage tank. In this model, the kinetics-based Schrage equation is used to account for the evaporative and condensing interfacial mass flows. Laminar and turbulent approaches to modeling natural convection in the tank and heat and mass transfer at the interface are compared. The flow, temperature, and interfacial mass fluxes predicted by these two approaches during tank self-pressurization are compared against each other. The ullage pressure and vapor temperature evolutions are also compared against experimental data obtained from the MHTB (Multipuprpose Hydrogen Test Bed) self-pressurization experiment. A CFD model for cooling cryogenic storage tanks by spraying cold liquid in the ullage is also presented. The Euler- Lagrange approach is utilized for tracking the spray droplets and for modeling interaction between the droplets and the continuous phase (ullage). The spray model is coupled with the VOF (volume of fluid) model by performing particle tracking in the ullage, removing particles from the ullage when they reach the interface, and then adding their contributions to the liquid. Droplet ullage heat and mass transfer are modeled. The flow, temperature, and interfacial mass flux predicted by the model are presented. The ullage pressure is compared with experimental data obtained from the MHTB spray bar mixing experiment. The results of the models with only droplet/ullage heat transfer and with heat and mass transfer between the droplets and ullage are compared.
A remark on robustness of linear best estimates

Let ξ(t) be a random process with correlation functionB0, defining a norm ‖ ‖0, and letη0 (ξ) be the best linear estimate of some unknown value ξ of the process ξ(t). SupposeB0 is not known and a “pseudobest” estimateη1 (ξ) is obtained under some hypothetic correlationB1 giving the norm ‖ ‖1. Then, denoting by $$\begin{gathered} \sigma _0 = \parallel \xi - \eta _0 (\xi )\parallel _0 , \hfill \\ \sigma (B_1 ) = \parallel \xi - \eta _1 (\xi )\parallel _0 , \hfill \\ \sigma _1 (B_1 ) = \parallel \xi - \eta _1 (\xi )\parallel _1 , \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ the corresponding least square errors, the following robustness property holds true under a rather general assumption: $$\mathop {\lim }\limits_{h \to 0} \mathop { \sup }\limits_{|B_1 - B_0 | \leqslant h} \sigma _1 (B_1 ) = \mathop {\lim }\limits_{h \to 0} \mathop { \sup }\limits_{|B_1 - B_0 | \leqslant h} \sigma (B_1 ) = \sigma _0 ,$$ whereh→0 means pointwise convergence.
Flow patterns in the abdominal aorta under simulated postprandial and exercise conditions: An experimental study * ** *

Abstract Specific hemodynamic factors have been shown to be associated with atherosclerotic plaque localization at the human carotid bifurcation. Flow field characteristics may also determine plaque distribution in the abdominal aorta. We therefore characterized flow patterns in a glass model abdominal aorta that included its major branches under conditions of steady flow. Outflow resistances of the celiac, superior mesenteric, renal, inferior mesenteric, and iliac arteries were varied to produce flow distributions consistent with rest, the postprandial state, and vigorous lower limb exercise. Flow patterns were visualized with three colors of dye injected simultaneously through capillary tubes at selected locations and recorded as still photographs and by cinephotography on videotapes. Under resting conditions a large region of flow separation and stagnation occurred at the posterior wall of the aorta directly opposite the orifices of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. Similar separation regions were observed during the simulated postprandial state but diminished markedly when distal outflow was increased to levels consistent with exercise. In the highly susceptible infrarenal aortic segment, beginning about 2 cm below the renal artery orifices, multiple secondary flow patterns with three to four counterrotating vortex formations were observed under both resting and postprandial conditions but disappeared in the exercise state. Secondary flow patterns were not noted in the suprarenal abdominal aorta, which is usually relatively spared. Such features have been related to plaque localization elsewhere, and the disappearance of these patterns with increased flow velocity during exercise is consistent with the previously noted protective effect of unidirectional laminar high-flow states. The beneficial effects of physical fitness programs may be related in part to these hemodynamic modifications. (J Vasc Surg 1989;9:309–16.)
Coccoliths: Production, transportation and sedimentation

Abstract The presence of coccolith ooze on the deep-sea floor and the well preserved suspended coccoliths in the undersaturated water column is explained by accelerated and communal sinking of coccoliths and coccospheres in small zooplankton's fecal pellets. The community structure in the euphotic layer will be replicated in the underlying thanatocoenosis with high resolution without significant time-lag between the production and the deposition. The euphotic biocoenosis of coccoliths drift only a few hundred kilometers at the maximum while they descend at the rate of more than 150 m per day through 5,000 m of water column where the variance of advection is approximately 5 km a day. At an Equatorial Pacific station it was estimated that 92% of coccoliths produced in the euphotic layer were thus being transported to the deep-sea bottom. Coccolithophore production provides several grams of calcite to a square meter of sea floor per year. Coccoliths do not undergo significant change during passage through copepods and other planktonic grazers. The membrane which covers a copepod's fecal pellet is coherent particularly in cold water. It protects contents from spilling and from dissolution and accelerates sinking rates by providing a smooth surface. The membrane is biodegraded rapidly in warm water and its contents exposed. As such naked pellets sink, coccoliths are shed and suspended in aphotic water. The majority of freed coccoliths will be dissolved in the undersaturated water column before arriving at the bottom. Approximately 8% of coccoliths produced were estimated to be remineralized in the water column at the above-mentioned station if Peterson's dissolution rate of calcite is applicable.
Endoscopic techniques for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A review of abstracts from Digestive Disease Week 2003

Endoscopic treatments of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are a new and potentially useful form of therapy for reflux disorders. This type of treatment was first introduced at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in 2000, and the most recent DDW, in 2003, included a growing number of abstracts describing further experience with endoscopic GERD treatments. The studies are still generally open-label trials involving relatively small patient groups given a variety of unique endoscopic GERD treatments, including radiofrequency, thermal ablation, plication suturing, and polymer injection and implantation techniques. Longer patient follow-up after Stretta (Curon Medical, Sunnyvale, CA) procedures, the permanency rate of EndoCinch (Bard Interventional Products, Billerica, MA) plication sutures, and new experiences with Enteryx (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) and Gatekeeper (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) procedures were highlighted at DDW 2003. Despite these unique devices with significant potential for treatment of GERD, caution was expressed concerning their clinical use in anything other than appropriately designed, scientifically validated clinical trials.
A Tale of Two Technical Cultures: Foreign Language Teaching.

Abstract In broad terms this study investigated how the social organization of schools affects and is affected by the structures within which teachers find themselves: in essence how teachers shaped their reality. In particular this investigation was concerned with high school foreign language (FL) teachers' perceptions of their work environment; specifically how FL teachers in differing school contexts defined FL instruction and the manner in which these contextual definitions associated with their classroom behavior. Many previous investigations have focused on the relationship of teachers' classroom behavior and student outcomes. This study instead asked what the organizational antecedents for teachers' classroom practices are by documenting high school FL teachers' technical cultures—the processes designed to accomplish an organization's goals (Lortie, 1975; Rosenholtz, 1989).
Abnormal cerebellar histogenesis in PEX2 Zellweger mice reflects multiple neuronal defects induced by peroxisome deficiency

The form and circuitry of the cerebellum develops by a complex process that requires integration of afferent–target interactions between multiple neuronal populations and migratory patterns established by neuron–glial interactions. Analysis of mice lacking the PEX2 peroxisome assembly gene, in which peroxisomal function is disrupted, reveals abnormal cerebellar histogenesis due to the disturbance of multiple cellular processes within neurons. Defects in cerebellar growth and the rostro-caudal foliation pattern reflect a reduced granule neuron population and abnormal Purkinje cell dendrite development. In granule neurons, there is increased apoptotic cell death and delayed movement from the EGL to IGL that reflects cell cycle, maturational and migrational abnormalities. The underlying Purkinje cells have stunted dendrite arbors with abnormal branching patterns, which may reflect altered inductive influences from the delayed granule neuron translocation. A delayed arborization of mutant olivary climbing fibers and their defective translocation from the perisomatic to the dendritic compartment of Purkinje cells results in numerous spines on the soma and proximal dendrites of Purkinje cells. Distal Purkinje cell dendritic spines also display abnormal morphology. These Purkinje cell dendritic abnormalities are seen in association with persistent and enlarged axonal spheroids, further indicating the presence of a degenerative process within the Purkinje cell. This PEX2−/− mouse model for the human peroxisomal biogenesis disorder Zellweger syndrome illustrates the complex interplay of abnormal developmental processes in the cerebellum and the importance of peroxisomal function for neuronal migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. J. Comp. Neurol. 461:394–413, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Malignancy Risk in Vasculitis

The vasculitides encompass a rare subset of autoimmune diseases. Reports of the concurrent association of malignancies with some forms of vasculitis raise the possibility that patients with certain types of vasculitis may be at increased risk of cancer. Conversely, some forms of vasculitis may be a manifestation of malignancy. We review cancer risk in patients with large vessel vasculitis (giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis), polyarteritis nodosa, and the circulating antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. In addition we discuss vasculitis as a paraneoplastic phenomenon, highlighting polyarteritis nodosa in association with hairy cell leukemia and reviewing the most common vasculitic manifestation of cancer, cutaneous vasculitis.
A comparative study of the hepatotoxicity of monochlorobenzene in the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) and the Sprague-Dawley rat.

Abstract 1. Chlorobenzene (CB) was less hepatotoxic to trout than to rats. 2. This difference could not be totally accounted for by reduced absorption in the trout and CB was metabolized in the trout. 3. Glutathione concentrations in trout livers were 1 3 of those of the rat and prior depletion of the tripeptide led to irreversible binding of CB to trout liver protein equivalent to that of rats suffering extensive necrosis. 4. No consistent correlation between glutathione content or protein binding and liver damage was seen in either species.
A study of thioamide-induced germination of seeds of Prunus persica☆

Abstract Thioacetamide, thiourea, and 1-allyl-2-thiourea were effective in promoting germination of non-after-ripened seeds of “Lovell” peach. The activity of thioamides in promoting germination of dormant peach seeds appears to be dependent on tautomerism of the thioamide to form the thiol-imido configuration with both the thiol and imido groups being necessary for activity. A marked interaction between thiourea and α-naphthaleneacetic acid suggested that thioamides influence germination by their effect on auxin activity. Maleic hydrazide and kinetin had no effect on germination either alone or in the presence of thiourea. Gibberellic acid and thioamides appear to influence different mechanisms in promoting germination of dormant peach seeds.
Mass Spectrometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study of Free Radicals Spontaneously Formed in Nitrone−Peracid Reactions

Reactions of spin traps (C-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) and 5,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (2-Ph-DMPO)) with peracids have been investigated by both mass spectrometry (MS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The peracids m-chloroperbenzoic acid, perbenzoic acid, and perpropionic acid, which can be considered models of biological peracids produced during lipid peroxidation, were found to react with spin traps to spontaneously produce significant amount of aminoxyl radicals. The radical products, as well as the nonradical products were detected and their structures identified by EPR and/or MS. Mechanisms for the formation of these products are proposed.
Experimental testing of hypotheses for the origin of tektites

Abstract A letter to Nature by Cassidy and Segnit (1955) reported the finding of highly siliceous spheres of glass embedded in glass of more basic composition in high-temperature quench runs made on tektite material. On this basis it was suggested that the “lechatelierite” inclusions in tektites represent a siliceous glass immiscible with the main body of more basic tektite glass. Work reported here contradicts the earlier results. Two quench samples are illustrated in which appear features looking remarkably like liquid-liquid equilibria. The earlier misrepresentation is attributed to one of these. A paper by Cassidy (1958) suggested a common origin for tektites and stony meteorites through segregation by liquid immiscibility. Experimental work reported in the present paper do not support this hypothesis, and it is discarded. The liquidus temperature of a natural australite was found to be 1347 ± 15° C and its primary crystalline phase was found to be SiO 2 (cristobalite). From this it is concluded that tektites are not igneous products derived from more basic rocks by the well-known process of crystal fractionation. They could have been formed by melting of sediments of the requisite composition or in a magma that had become highly siliceous by incorporation of appropriate xenolithic material.
Aging and development in social insects with emphasis on the honey bee, Apis mellifera L

Honey bee colonies typically consist of about 20-40 thousand workers, zero to few thousand males (drones), depending on the time of year, and a single queen, the mother of the colony. Workers typically live 3-6 weeks during the spring and summer and can live about 4months during the winter. Queens are longer lived. Anecdotes of queens living 2-3years are not unusual, though they normally live less than a year in commercial hives. Little is known about the life span of drones. Queens develop from fertilized eggs that are not different from the eggs that develop into workers. Queens are, however, twice as large, have specialized anatomy, live much longer, and develop faster from egg to adult. All of these differences are derived from differences in larval rearing environment, primarily nutrition. The developmental trajectory of a female larva from worker into a queen can be determined as late as the third day of larval development, after this time the developmental pathway is fixed for a worker phenotype. The total time of larval development is only 5-6 days, therefore, just 2-3 days of differential feeding can lead to profound differences in development, and longevity. Workers undergo age development after they become adults. Workers usually initiate foraging behavior when they are 2-3 weeks old. The age at which a worker initiates foraging is a strong determinant of her length of life. This is presumed to be a result of the hazards of foraging, but natural senescence also occurs. Some bees remain in the nest and are never observed to forage, thereby outliving their forager sisters. Corresponding to this behavioral development are changes in the sizes of glands and the production of glandular products, increases in biogenic amine titers within the brain, an increase in the volume of specific regions of the brain, and changes in the neural system that affect perception of stimuli, and learning and memory. These age-related changes in behavior are regulated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Genetic variation has been demonstrated for many of these life history and behavioral traits. Selection and genome mapping studies have demonstrated relationships between the neural system, behavior, and life history traits.
Ion Channel Water Pockets Examined by Neutron Diffraction: The M2 Peptide Channel of H1N1 Influenza Virus

Many ion channels have remarkably large water-containing spaces (pockets) within the membrane-spanning region of the channel protein. These are often adjacent to a selectivity filter. The pockets are unusual since they are often formed by rather hydrophobic protein surfaces. In some cases, "de-wetting" transitions have been suggested as having roles in channel gating. Evaluation of the amounts and trans-membrane distribution of water within ion channels can be determined by neutron diffraction from multilayers using D2O/H2O exchange. The main difficulty is the high protein/lipid molar ratios needed in multilayers if water in the channels is to be a accurately measured. We used the M2 peptide of H1N1 influenza virus to form multilayers of high protein content. This peptide forms tetrameric proton channels by self-assembly in lipid bilayers. Protein to lipid molar ratios as high as 1/3 formed good multilayers for neutron diffraction. We obtained trans-membrane water distributions using the AND/R instrument at the NIST Center for Neutron Research. Neutron diffraction data for three lamellar orders were obtained and Fourier D2O/H2O difference profiles show considerable water penetration into the membrane, consistent with water approaching the selectivity filter. The M2 channel water profile is strikingly different from that of the lipid-only membrane, which has a profile that is flat in the hydrocarbon region. For further comparison, the water profile obtained for purple membranes, which are of similar high protein content, is also presented and shows little water in the hydrocarbon region. Aspects of water in hydrophobic pockets are discussed.
The Stoichiometry of Antibody-Mediated Neutralization and Enhancement of West Nile Virus Infection

Antibody binding to the icosahedral arrangement of envelope proteins on the surface of flaviviruses can result in neutralization or enhancement of infection. We evaluated how many antibodies must bind to a given epitope on West Nile virus (WNV) to achieve neutralization. The most potent monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) block infection at concentrations that result in low occupancy of accessible sites on the virion, with neutralization occurring when as few as 30 of 180 envelope proteins are bound. In contrast, weakly neutralizing mAbs recognize fewer sites on the virion and require almost complete occupancy to inhibit WNV infection. For all mAbs studied, enhancement of infection is possible in cells bearing activating Fc-gamma receptors when the number of mAbs docked to the virion is not sufficient for neutralization. Thus, neutralization is best described by a model requiring "multiple hits" with the cumulative functional outcome determined by interplay between antibody affinity and epitope accessibility.
Pulsatile flow artifacts in 3D magnetic resonance imaging

Some of the important features of how pulsatile flow generates artifacts in three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging are analyzed and demonstrated. Time variations in the magnetic resonance signal during the heart cycle lead to more complex patterns of artifacts in 3D imaging than in 2D imaging. The appearance and location of these artifacts within the image volume are shown to be describable as displacements along a line in a plane parallel to that defined by the phase and volume encode directions. The angle of the line in the plane depends solely upon the imaging parameters while the ghost displacement along the line is proportional to the signal modulation frequency. Aliasing of these ghosts leads to a variety of artifact patterns which are sensitive to the pulsation period and repetition time of the pulse sequence. Numerical simulations of these effects were found to be in good agreement with experimental images of an elastic model of a human carotid artery under simulated physiological conditions and with images of two human subjects.
Photoreceptors and visual pigments in the retina of the fully anadromous green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostrus) and the potamodromous pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Green sturgeon and pallid sturgeon photoreceptors were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microspectrophotometry and, in the case of the green sturgeon, retinal whole-mounts. The retinas of both species contain both rods and cones: cones comprise between 23% (whole-mount) and 36% (SEM) of the photoreceptors. The cone population of both species is dominated by large single cones, but a rare small single cone is also present. In both species, most rods have long outer segments of large diameter. A rod with a relatively thin outer segment is present in the pallid sturgeon retina. Mean cone packing density for the entire green sturgeon retina is 4,690±891 cones/mm2, with the dorsal retina 14% more dense than the ventral. There is evidence for a horizontal visual streak just above and including the optic disc. Mean rod packing density is 16,006±1,668 rods/mm2 for the entire retina, and fairly uniform throughout. Both species have rods with peak absorbance near 540 nm, as well as short-wavelength-sensitive cones (green: 464.5±0.7 nm; pallid: 439.7±3.5 nm); middle-wavelength-sensitive cones (green: 538.0±1.4 nm; pallid: 537.0±1.7 nm); and long-wavelength-sensitive cones (green: 613.9±3.0 nm; pallid: 617.8±7.6 nm).
In vivo ethanol decreases phosphorylated MAPK and p70S6 kinase in the developing rat brain

Exposure to ethanol during pregnancy is detrimental to fetal development, and individuals affected by the fetal alcohol syndrome present a number of CN system dysfunctions including microencephaly and mental retardation. Recently, it has been suggested that ethanol-induced inhibition of glial cell proliferation may be relevant in the causation of microencephaly. In this study, we measured the developmental changes of MAPK (ERKl/2) and p70S6 kinase, which are considered to play a prominent role in cell proliferation, and their phosphorylated proteins in rat brain, and examined the effects of in vivo ethanol administration. MAPK and phospho-MAPK increased gradually after birth, and reached adult levels on postnatal day 21. In contrast, levels of both p70S6 kinase and phospho-p70S6 kinase decreased after birth. Exposure to ethanol (2-6 g/kg, from postnatal day 4 to 7) had no effects on MAPK or p70S6 kinase levels, but caused a dose-dependent decrease of both phosphoproteins. These results suggest that phosphorylation of MAPK and p70S6 kinase may represent relevant targets for the developmental neurotoxicity of ethanol, and may be involved in microencephaly.
CollecTF: a database of experimentally validated transcription factor-binding sites in Bacteria

The influx of high-throughput data and the need for complex models to describe the interaction of prokaryotic transcription factors (TF) with their target sites pose new challenges for TF-binding site databases. CollecTF (http://collectf.umbc.edu) compiles data on experimentally validated, naturally occurring TF-binding sites across the Bacteria domain, placing a strong emphasis on the transparency of the curation process, the quality and availability of the stored data and fully customizable access to its records. CollecTF integrates multiple sources of data automatically and openly, allowing users to dynamically redefine binding motifs and their experimental support base. Data quality and currency are fostered in CollecTF by adopting a sustainable model that encourages direct author submissions in combination with in-house validation and curation of published literature. CollecTF entries are periodically submitted to NCBI for integration into RefSeq complete genome records as link-out features, maximizing the visibility of the data and enriching the annotation of RefSeq files with regulatory information. Seeking to facilitate comparative genomics and machine-learning analyses of regulatory interactions, in its initial release CollecTF provides domain-wide coverage of two TF families (LexA and Fur), as well as extensive representation for a clinically important bacterial family, the Vibrionaceae.
An embodied theory in search of a body: Challenges for a dynamic systems model of infant perseveration

In this commentary, we question (1) how embodied Thelen et al.'s model is relative to their aims, and (2) how embodied the behavior of children is in particular response systems, relative to how much dynamic systems theory emphasizes this idea. We close with corrections to mischaracterizations of an alternative, neural network perspective on infant behavior.