cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energy Spectrum and Positive Excess of Muons in Cosmic-Ray Air Showers

A magnet spectrometer and an array of 15 large scintillator disks have been used to examine the distribution of the muon component of extensive air showers with respect to both energy and distance from the axis. An empirical function which has been found to be consistent with the observations is ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(N, r, \ensuremath{\ge}E)=\frac{14.4{r}^{\ensuremath{-}0.75}}{{(1+\frac{r}{320})}^{2.5}}{\left(\frac{N}{{10}^{6}}\right)}^{0.75}\left(\frac{51}{E+50}\right){\left(\frac{3}{E+2}\right)}^{a(r)},$ with $a(r)=0.14{r}^{0.37}$, where ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ gives the average number of muons per square meter with energy exceeding $E$ Bev at $r$ meters from the axis of a shower that contains $N$ charged particles. According to this relation, the mean energy at sea level of the muons in air showers is 7 Bev, and they carry, in a shower of $N$ particles, an energy of $0.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{15}{(\frac{N}{{10}^{6}})}^{0.75}$ ev. The positive excess which has been observed in muons examined independently of air showers was not found in the muons detected in the air showers. We conclude that $\ensuremath{\pi}$-meson production dominates $K$-meson production by a factor of at least 10 in a region of meson energies about 10 Bev.
QUATERNARY STRUCTURE OF KATP CHANNEL SUR2A NUCLEOTIDE BINDING DOMAINS RESOLVED BY SYNCHROTRON RADIATION X-RAY SCATTERING

Abstract Heterodimeric nucleotide binding domains NBD1/NBD2 distinguish the ATP-binding cassette protein SUR2A, a recognized regulatory subunit of cardiac ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. The tandem function of these core domains ensures metabolism-dependent gating of the Kir6.2 channel pore, yet their structural arrangement has not been resolved. Here, purified monodisperse and interference-free recombinant particles were subjected to synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in solution. Intensity function analysis of SAXS profiles resolved NBD1 and NBD2 as octamers. Implemented by ab initio simulated annealing, shape determination prioritized an oblong envelope wrapping NBD1 and NBD2 with respective dimensions of 168 × 80 × 37 A3 and 175 × 81 × 37 A3 based on symmetry constraints, validated by atomic force microscopy. Docking crystal structure homology models against SAXS data reconstructed the NBD ensemble surrounding an inner cleft suitable for Kir6.2 insertion. Human heart disease-associated mutations introduced in silico verified the criticality of the mapped protein–protein interface. The resolved quaternary structure delineates thereby a macromolecular arrangement of KATP channel SUR2A regulatory domains.
Effects of a Knee Extension Constraint Brace on Lower Extremity Movements after ACL Reconstruction

Background Patients have high reinjury rates after ACL reconstruction. Small knee flexion angles and large peak posterior ground reaction forces in landing tasks increase ACL loading.
Assessment of Depressive Symptomatology in Young Maltreated Children

SUMMARY The present study examined the characteristics of a self-report measure of depression in young maltreated children. Two samples, Foster Care (N= 197) and Clinic Referred (N= 107), of maltreated children between the ages of 3- and 7-years, were administered the Preschool Symptom Self-Report (PRESS). In addition, a subsample of the foster and all of the clinic children between the ages of 4- and 7-years responded to Harter's measure of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance. Finally, caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Results indicate (1) good internal consistency of the measure across samples, ethnic groups, gender, and age (alphas = .86-.89), (2) children removed for physical abuse, younger children and girls were more likely to report depressive symptomatology, (3) self-reported depressive symptomatology was inversely related to self-reported competence and acceptance, and (4) external raters were more likely to agree with each other and with self-reported depressive symptomat...
Octreotide/Midodrine Therapy Significantly Improves Renal Function and 30-Day Survival in Patients with Type 1 Hepatorenal Syndrome

Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) can be a rapidly fatal consequence of liver failure. Recent studies have utilized vasoconstrictor therapies to combat splanchnic vasodilatation. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a promising treatment for type 1 HRS. We compared the survival of HRS patients who received octreotide and midodrine treatment at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center with a concurrent untreated control group of HRS patients who did not receive this treatment. Of the 81 patients, 60 were treated with octreotide/midodrine and 21 were controls. Mortality was significantly lower in the treatment group (43%) than in the controls (71%; P < 0.05). Furthermore, 24 study patients (40%) had a sustained reduction of serum creatinine compared with only 2 controls (10%; P < 0.05). This large retrospective study suggests that octreotide/midodrine treatment appears to improve 30-day survival. A randomized, controlled trial is the next important step toward evaluating this treatment modality.
PURCHASING POWER PARITY DOCTRINE: AN UNRESTRICTED COINTEGRATION TEST

The purchasing power parity hypothesis is investigated within a highly economically integrated set of nations, namely the European Monetary System. We use the Phillips‐Hansen Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares procedure, which for the first time allows for an unrestricted cointegration test of the PPP doctrine. We sequentially test for the weak and strong form of PPP.
Ten-year experience with the Cox-maze procedure for atrial fibrillation: how do we define success?

Background The Cox-maze procedure is the standard to which other surgical treatments of atrial fibrillation (AF) are compared. However, evaluation of new devices and lesion sets is difficult because of variable methods of reporting success in eliminating AF. We analyzed 10-year outcome with the "cut and sew" Cox-maze procedure and present rhythm at last follow-up, interval contact, and actuarial AF freedom. Methods Between March 1993 and December 2002, 335 patients (211 men) underwent the Cox-maze procedure (age, 22 to 83 years; median, 62 years). Atrial fibrillation was chronic (CAF) in 175 patients and paroxysmal (PAF) in 160. Results Concomitant mitral valve procedures were performed in 59%, coronary artery bypass grafting in 19%, and tricuspid valve repairs in 7%. Early mortality was 0.9%. During hospitalization, transient AF occurred in 29% of patients and 10% required implantation of a new permanent pacemaker (PPM). Dismissal electrocardiogram was normal sinus rhythm in 64%, junctional rhythm in 18%, AF in 11%, and PPM in 7%. At last follow-up (mean 42 ± 6 months), 88% of patients were free of AF. However, when analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, freedom from AF was lower for patients with preoperative lone PAF (5 years, 90%; 10 years, 64%), preoperative lone CAF (5 years, 80%; 10 years, 62%), and patients undergoing combined maze-mitral valve surgery (5 years, 68%; 10 years, 41%). Conclusions Ten-year results with the standard Cox-maze procedure confirm high effectiveness, but reporting methods should be standardized to account for patients who have transient atrial arrhythmias during long-term follow-up.
Wavelet-based registration and compression of sets of images

Registration of images is of great importance in the fields of aerial surveillance, automatic target recognition, machine vision and medical imaging. Wavelets are tools that are being used to analyze signals and images. Wavelets in some sense are alternatives to Fourier transforms. Wavelets provide excellent time and frequency localization properties when compared to Fourier transforms. Singularities and irregular structures carry very important information about edges. Wavelets are excellent tools for detecting these singularities and characterizing the regularity of the function using Lipschitz exponents as shown by mallat et. al. In this paper we use the wavelet modulus maxima which is the strict local maxima of the modulus of the wavelet of the modulus of the wavelet transform to locate the singularities at each scale. homologous points from two similar images are then used to register the images using a best fit criteria. The objective function being that the difference image is a minimum image. The technique exploits inter image redundancy in addition to the intra image redundancy in sets of similar images after they have been registered. This lead to higher compression ratios. It also permits the use of any existing compression technique to exploit intra image redundancy.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Creative Engagement of Digital Learners with Gardner's Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence to Enhance Their Critical Thinking

Although we owe a debt of gratitude to Howard Gardner for articulating in 1983 that all human beings have many intelligences, the recognition that there is a multiplicity of intelligences (MI) among humans and that some are more endowed with and have greater dexterity in some of the intelligences than that in others is nearly as old as mankind. It is well understood that critical thinking is essential for success in all human endeavors. Unfortunately, critical thinking is not explicitly taught in most learning contexts. This paper is guided by the cognitive principle that teaching that aligns with the learner’s stronger intelligences and learning style can facilitate active learning and critical thinking. This is a strong pedagogical reason for us as pedagogues with the privilege of training teachers, to make sure that our students adopt this cognitive principle to facilitate learning among all their students—not just those gifted in the orthodoxy skills of language and logic. This paper uses the example of Gardner’s bodily-kinesthetic MI to illustrate how trainee and practising teachers can apply some of the latest digital technologies to mobilize the MI of digital students endowed with the bodily-kinesthetic MI to enhance their active learning and critical thinking.
The Statistical Evaluation of Directional Spectrum Estimates Derived from Pitch/Roll Buoy Data

Abstract Estimates of the ocean wave directional spectrum may be extracted from observations of surface vertical acceleration and slope made with a pitch/roll buoy. The analysis requires the specification of a parametrical model of the spectrum and a procedure by which the parameters are fixed. The statistical validity and variability of the result must then be examined. This is accomplished by formulating the hypothesis that the model spectrum is the true spectrum; the hypothesis is then rejected if the difference between observations and data computed from the model is improbably large. Otherwise, the model is accepted as statistically valid. Model variability may then be computed in terms of the variances of model parameters. One particular parametrical model and analysis scheme has received wide application in recent years; this paper examines the statistical validity and variability of results obtained with this “conventional” procedure. Explicit formulas for the data covariance matrix, which summari...
The Roles of the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and the Registered Occupational Therapist in Adult Psychiatry

The certified occupational therapy assistant in a 64 bed inpatient psychiatry setting contributes to a high level of patient care and departmental efficiency. The certified occupational therapy assistant's responsibilities include direct patient care, student education, and clinical management and are described in this article. The methods and philosophy for supervision of the certified occupational therapy assistant are explored. In conclusion, two adult psychiatry programs which utilize the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant's knowledge and education are described.
Atherosclerotic tissue analysis by time-resolved XeCl excimer laser reflectometry.

The temporal modification of XeCl laser pulses reflected from human aorta tissue immersed in saline has been studied. Dynamic tissue reflectivity of both normal and atherosclerotic tissues has been examined for various incident pulse fluences between 0.7 and 6.5 J/cm2. Changes in reflected pulse duration are observed for fluences at or above 2.6 J/cm2 with normal tissue targets and 3.0 J/cm2 with calcified plaque. Such reflected pulse analysis may prove useful in identifying tissue targets for ablation during laser angioplasty. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Designing a New Generation of Proton‐Exchange Membranes Using Layer‐by‐Layer Deposition of Polyelectrolytes

All fuel cells utilizing the membrane-electrode assembly have their ion-conductive membrane sandwiched between bipolar plates. Unfortunately, applying conventional techniques to isolated polyelectrolyte membranes is challenging and difficult. A more practical alternative is to use the layer-by-layer assembly technique to fabricate a membrane-electrode assembly that is technologically relatively simple, economic, and robust. The process presented here paves the way to fabricate ion-conductive membranes tailored for optimum performance in terms of controlled thickness, structural morphology, and catalyst loading. Composite membranes are constructed through the layered assembly of ionically conductive multilayer thin films atop a porous polycarbonate membrane. Under ambient conditions, a fuel cell using a poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(acrylic acid) (PEO/PAA) composite membrane delivers a maximum power density of 16.5 mW cm–2 at a relative humidity of 55 %, which is close to that of some commercial fuel cells operating under the same conditions. Further optimization of these systems may lead to new, ultrathin, flexible fuel cells for portable power and micropower applications.
Carbon dioxide-sustained adsorption of lactic acid at pH > pKa of the acid

Experimental data are presented for batch and fixed-bed adsorption of lactic acid from aqueous sodium lactate solutions onto the tertiary amine sorbents, Dowex MWA-1 and Amberlite IRA-35, in the presence of carbon dioxide. The effects of carbon dioxide pressure and sodium lactate concentration on lactate uptake capacity were measured. A simple complexation model, which includes chemical-equilibria and mass- and charge-balance equations, was developed to describe the system. There are no fitted parameters in the model. The model predictions compare well with batch adsorption data.
An EPR Study of 2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic Anhydride (BMA) Complexes and the BMA Radical Anion.

EPR spectra are reported for four metal complexes of 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride (BMA), [Co(2)(PhCCR)(CO)(4)(eta-BMA)](-), R = Ph, H, [Co(2)(PhCCPh)(CO)(4)(m-BMA)](-), and [PhCW(CO)(2)(BMA)Cl](-), as well as the radical anions, [BMA](-) and [BPCD](-), BPCD = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)cyclopentene-1,3-dione. At room temperature, all spectra are 1:2:1 triplets due to hyperfine coupling to two equivalent (31)P nuclei with coupling to two equivalent (1)H nuclei for [BPCD](-) and unresolved coupling to one or two (59)Co nuclei for the Co complexes with chelating or bridging BMA, respectively. The (31)P couplings are temperature dependent, ca. -3 and -13 mG K(-)(1) for the metal complexes and ligand radical anions, respectively. At low temperature, the spectrum of [BMA](-) shows the presence of symmetric and asymmetric PPh(2) rotational conformers, related by the thermodynamic parameters DeltaH degrees = -0.8 +/- 0.2 kJ mol(-)(1) and DeltaS degrees = 4 +/- 1 J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1) and interconverted with activation parameters DeltaH() = 18.2 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -30 +/- 2 J mol(-)(1) K(-)(1). The temperature dependence of the (31)P couplings is explained by a negative spin-polarization contribution to and a positive contribution due to P 3s character; the latter increases with the asymmetry of the PPh(2) conformations. The range of conformations accessible to the metal complexes is less than for the ligand radical anions, and accordingly the temperature dependence is significantly smaller.
Biliary casts after orthotopic liver transplantation: clinical factors, treatment, biochemical analysis.

Biliary casts after orthotopic liver transplantation: clinical factors, treatment, biochemical analysis
Evaluation of fungicides for prevention and management of powdery mildew on watermelon

Powdery mildew of watermelon, caused by Podosphaera (sect. Sphaerotheca) xanthii, has been present throughout the southern United States since at least 1999. This study evaluated the efficacy of contact and systemic fungicides and a biofungicide (Bacillus subtilis) for preventing powdery mildew and curative applications of systemic fungicides for managing powdery mildew. The systemic fungicides azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and myclobutanil were applied preventatively in alternation with mancozeb or B. subtilis during the first part of the season. In other treatments, mancozeb was applied preventively and the systemic fungicides myclobutanil, benomyl, and azoxystrobin were added curatively after powdery mildew was detected. Alternating preventative applications of mancozeb with azoxystrobin was one of the most effective fungicide combinations tested to prevent and manage this disease. Curative applications of systemic fungicides generally were less effective than preventative applications. Curative treatments that included tank mixes of fungicides required a greater amount of fungicide material than any preventative treatment. In both years, four and five applications were made with the Melcast melon disease forecaster and a weekly schedule, respectively, before powdery mildew was detected. Mean weight of individual fruit from nonsprayed plots was significantly lower than mean weight of fruit across all sprayed plots (P<0.003). Powdery mildew decreased yields significantly (R2=61.5, P=0.001 for the linear regression of area under the disease progress curve with weight of marketable fruit over both years), but no fungicide treatment consistently increased marketable yield compared with the nonsprayed control.
Performance of the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Screening Tool for osteoporosis in American men.

Objective To determine whether the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool (OST) can predict central bone mineral density in men, as defined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Patients and Methods We applied the OST index to men in pulmonary (evaluated January-May 2001) and rheumatology (evaluated November 2001-March 2002) clinics at a veterans hospital. The calculated OST risk index is based on weight and age. Results In 181 men, we arbitrarily defined osteoporosis as a DXA T score of −2.5 or less in the spine, total hip, or femoral neck. The mean age and weight of the men were 64.3 years and 91.2 kg; 15.6% had osteoporosis by DXA. The OST index ranged from −5 to 19, from which we categorized risk as follows: low, 4 or greater; moderate, −1 to 3; and high, −2 or less. Only 2.0% of men with a low-risk OST index had osteoporosis, whereas 27.0% with a moderate risk and 72.7% with a high risk had osteoporosis. Using an OST cutoff score of 3, we predicted osteoporosis with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 66%. When patients were studied by age in decades, race, or current glucocorticoid use, the predictive value of the OST was maintained. Conclusion The OST is an easy method to predict osteoporosis by DXA.
A forward chemical screen using zebrafish embryos with novel 2-substituted 2H-chromene derivatives.

We synthesized 2-substituted 2H-chromene derivatives from salicylaldehyde using potassium vinylic borates in the presence of secondary amines. Our goal was to generate novel compounds that might modulate transforming growth factor-β signaling, based on limited rational design. Potassium vinyl trifluoroborates react with salicylaldehydes at 80 °C in the presence of a secondary amine and produce 2-substituted 2H-chromene derivatives with a 70–90% yield. A small library of these compounds, predicted to potentially interact with transforming growth factor-β receptors, was screened for bioactivity in living zebrafish embryos. We found that the related compounds differentially affect development, and demonstrate one compound that produces severe body axis alterations in early embryogenesis and at lower doses affects specifically cardiovascular development. This compound modulates specifically a Smad-independent transforming growth factor-β-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, namely p-SAPK/JNK. These compounds, as suggested by our biological assays, may prove useful to manipulate developmental programs and develop therapeutic tools.
Relationships Between QBO in the Lower Equatorial Stratospheric Zonal Winds and East African Seasonal Rainfall

Teleconnections between the seasonal rainfall anomalies of March through May (“long-rains”) over eastern Africa (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) and the lower equatorial stratospheric (30-mb) zonal winds for the 32-year period 1964–1995 are examined using statistical methods. The analysis is based on the application of the simple correlation method and QBO/rainfall composite analysis. A statistical study of spatial correlation patterns is made in an effort to understand the climatic associations between the equatorial stratospheric zonal wind and regional rainfall at the interannual scale. The aim of this analysis is to establish whether this global signal can be employed as predictor variable in the long-range forecasts. The study is part of an ongoing investigation, which aims at designing a comprehensive and objective, multi-variate-forecast system of seasonal rainfall over eastern Africa. The correlation parameters include simultaneous (zero lag), and the non-zero lag correlations. The statistical significance of the correlation coefficient [r] is tested based on the Monte Carlo t-statistical method, and the standard correlation tables.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Cultural Attitudes and Behaviors Affecting Vocational Rehabilitation

The Individualism-Collectivism Vocational Attitudes Questionnaire (ICVAQ) was developed to assess cultural attitudes and behaviors that may be important in the provision of vocational rehabilitatio...
A Fool's Errand: How Not to Conduct a Research Solicitation

In early December 2009, I participated in a panel review of proposals submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy's Atmospheric System Research Program in response to a call for proposals from early-career investigators. Fourteen panel members, each of whom had reviewed four to eight proposals, spent a day discussing and evaluating 28 proposals. Yet all was not what it had seemed. Early-career research awards, which fund scientists for 5 years at approximately US$150,000 per year, are highly sought by tenure-track investigators because they provide support for an extended period of time and serve to move young scientists forward in their careers. The concept of such a program is thus much to be lauded. The particular call for proposals for which I served as a reviewer was undertaken as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, with the objective of promoting useful governmental activity while stimulating the economy.
129 DYNAMIC ALTERATION OF THE INTERVENTRICULAR SEPTUM IN VOLUME OVERLOAD OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE

129 DYNAMIC ALTERATION OF THE INTERVENTRICULAR SEPTUM IN VOLUME OVERLOAD OF THE LEFT VENTRICLE
The effect of occlusal discrepancies on gingival width.

Background: A relationship between occlusal forces and gingival recession has been postulated in the past. However, minimal data are available to demonstrate a causal relationship between occlusal forces and recession. Methods: The records from a private practice limited to periodontics were reviewed to find patients who had complete periodontal examination records, including occlusal analysis and gingival width, that were recorded at least 1 year apart. Patients who fit this criteria were divided into those who had none of the recommended treatment (untreated, n = 30), those who had only non-surgical treatment (partially treated, n = 20), and a control group who had completed all recommended surgical and non-surgical treatment (completely treated, n = 41). The data for each tooth of each patient, including occlusal status and gingival width, were placed in a database and analyzed for a relationship between occlusal discrepancies and changes in gingival width. Results: No statistically significant relatio...
Homicide Bereavement: Reflections on the Therapeutic Relationship in Trauma Research

This critical narrative ethnography focused on the aftermath of gang-related homicide of two Latino teenage boys, as articulated from the perspectives of their mothers. Grounded in critical race theory, this study situates the phenomenon of Latino youth violence within contexts of local oppressive political and historical conditions. This article explores therapeutic aspects of the researcher's relationship with the bereaved mothers, ethical issues involved in trauma research, and the role of reflexivity. The bereavement narratives represent the subjugated voices of women living with violence in marginalized communities and reveal multiple layers of dehumanization. The therapeutic relationship that developed between the participants and researcher became an effective strategy for rehumanization. The traumatic nature of the women's bereavement produced a deep vulnerability, requiring a complex negotiation of roles and responsibilities of the researcher. The self-reflective experiences of the researcher in this negotiation process with the women are also explored and described.
Neutrophils release brakes of coagulation

Blood coagulation protects from microbial infections. A recent study now shows that neutrophils fine tune the procoagulant response to invading pathogens (pages 887–896). Neutrophils degrade an inhibitor of coagulation, locally 'trapping' bacteria in small blood vessels. But they also increase blood clots in large vessels in the absence of infection, which may be relevant for the treatment of thrombosis.
A Uniform Data Interface

In a data acquisition/analysis environment data are available from a variety of sources. By presenting data in a uniform format, available through a simple access interface, a facility can be developed to allow user programs access to these different sources with a minimum of difficulty. This also encourages the development of ''filter'' programs that may be joined together to analyze and display the data.
Moving From the Neighborhood to the Cellblock The Impact of Youth’s Neighborhoods on Prison Misconduct

This study examines how prior neighborhood characteristics affect youth’s offending when youths move into an incarceration context. Neighborhood ethnic heterogeneity, residential stability, and disadvantage are often predictive of neighborhood crime, but it is unclear how these neighborhood constructs continue to affect youth’s behavior inside a secure facility. In a sample of recently incarcerated juvenile offenders (N = 320), this study examined how prior neighborhood characteristics affect institutional offending over the first 8 weeks of incarceration. Although disadvantage did not relate to institutional offending, results indicate that youths from racially/ethnically homogenous communities are more likely to offend during the initial weeks of incarceration, whereas youths from residentially stable communities are more likely to offend in the latter weeks.
Vibrational properties of the reconstructed W(100) surface from total energy results

Abstract A force constant model for the dynamical matrix of the clean low temperature reconstructed W(100) surface has been developed based on recent total energy results. The surface has been found to exhibit a number of interesting surface vibrational modes and resonances including three modes which are folded back by the surface reconstruction. These results have interesting implications for EELS and He atom scattering data.
Local environmental factors and retinal adhesion in the rabbit.

Retinal adhesion was studied in Dutch rabbit eyes by measuring the force required to peel retina from excised strips of eyecup, maintained in a physiological fluid medium. Relative to the peeling force in Ames' solution, adhesion was much weaker in normal saline, in solutions of low pH, and in solutions without calcium. There was little effect from removal of magnesium, potassium, sulphate or orthophosphate, or from supplementation with Medium 199. Adhesion remained strong in a hyperosmolar environment. Hyaluronidase had little effect in the experimental solution, or in the vitreous before enucleation. Chymotrypsin had little effect, but trypsin rapidly destroyed adhesion in a calcium-and magnesium-free medium. adhesion was somewhat greater in the dark than in the light, but was the same at the onset of morning light as during midday.
Structural features influencing hemagglutinin cleavability in a human influenza A virus.

Abstract The cleavability of the hemagglutinin (HA) molecule is related to the virulence of avian influenza A viruses, but its influence on human influenza virus strains is unknown. Two structural features are involved in the cleavage of avian influenza A virus HAs: a series of basic amino acids at the cleavage site and an oligosaccharide side chain in the near vicinity. The importance of these properties in the cleavability of a human influenza A virus (A/Aichi/2/68) HA was investigated by using mutants that contained or lacked an oligosaccharide side chain and had either four or six basic amino acids. All mutants except the one that contains a single mutation at the glycosylation site were cleaved, although not completely, demonstrating that a series of basic amino acids confers susceptibility to cellular cleavage enzymes among human influenza virus HAs. The mutants containing six basic amino acids at the cleavage site showed limited polykaryon formation upon exposure to low pH, indicating that cleavage was adequate to impart fusion activity to the HA. Deletion of the potential glycosylation site had no effect on the cleavability of these mutants; hence, the oligosaccharide side chain appears to have no role in human influenza virus HA cleavage. The inability to induce high cleavability in a human influenza A virus HA by insertion of a series of basic amino acids at the cleavage site indicates that other, as yet unidentified structural features are needed to enhance the susceptibility of these HAs to cellular proteases.
Z-scan measurement of the ground and excited state absorption cross sections of Cr/sup 4+/ in yttrium aluminum garnet

Z-scan measurements of the ground and excited state absorption cross sections of Cr/sup 4+/-doped yttrium aluminum garnet are reported. These quantities are found to depend on crystal preparation but are independent of temperature from -60/spl deg/C to 98/spl deg/C. Their ratio is shown to weakly determine the energy output of a passively Q-switched Nd:glass laser using this material as the saturable absorber.
Differences in Structural Dynamics of Muscle and Yeast Actin Accompany Differences in Functional Interactions with Myosin

We have used spectroscopic probes ErIA and IAEDANS attached to Cys374 to compare the structural dynamics of yeast actin filaments with that of muscle actin, to understand the structural basis of the less productive interaction of yeast actin with myosin. Time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA) of ErIA and steady-state fluorescence of IAEDANS were measured. TPA indicated more rapid rotational motion and more restricted angular amplitude in yeast actin. The fluorescence spectrum was less intense and more red-shifted in yeast actin, suggesting more exposure of the probe to solvent. These results indicate that the two actins differ substantially in the conformational dynamics of the C-terminal region. Binding of myosin S1 induced significantly different spectroscopic changes in TPA and fluorescence of muscle and yeast actin. As a result, the spectroscopic differences between the two actins were decreased by the addition of S1. These results suggest that yeast actin is less effective at activating myosin because of larger changes required in the structure of actin upon strong myosin binding. These results provide insight into the relationship between actomyosin dynamics and function, and they provide a useful framework for structure-function analysis of mutant yeast actin.
C6-Green leaf volatiles trigger local and systemic VOC emissions in tomato.

Abstract In response to insect feeding, tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) release elevated levels of volatile organic compounds; that is, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are released both locally and systemically with wounding while C6 green leaf volatiles are released only from damaged leaves. With the exogenous application (100 nmol) of the C6-tomato-volatile (E)-2-hexenal, an increase in the release of local and systemic terpenes was observed, while an equimolar amount of methyl jasmonate triggered only local emissions of terpenes. Labeling studies with 13CO2 showed that de novo synthesis was not required for monoterpene or sesquiterpene release immediately following chemical treatment or insect feeding. Comparative measurements were made between aldehyde doses applied to the plant and levels naturally released from leaves with insect damage.
Long Inverted Repeats Are an At-Risk Motif for Recombination in Mammalian Cells

Certain DNA sequence motifs and structures can promote genomic instability. We have explored instability induced in mouse cells by long inverted repeats (LIRs). A cassette was constructed containing a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (tk) gene into which was inserted an LIR composed of two inverted copies of a 1.1-kb yeast URA3 gene sequence separated by a 200-bp spacer sequence. The tk gene was introduced into the genome of mouse Ltk(-) fibroblasts either by itself or in conjunction with a closely linked tk gene that was disrupted by an 8-bp XhoI linker insertion; rates of intrachromosomal homologous recombination between the markers were determined. Recombination between the two tk alleles was stimulated 5-fold by the LIR, as compared to a long direct repeat (LDR) insert, resulting in nearly 10(-5) events per cell per generation. Of the tk(+) segregants recovered from LIR-containing cell lines, 14% arose from gene conversions that eliminated the LIR, as compared to 3% of the tk(+) segregants from LDR cell lines, corresponding to a >20-fold increase in deletions at the LIR hotspot. Thus, an LIR, which is a common motif in mammalian genomes, is at risk for the stimulation of homologous recombination and possibly other genetic rearrangements.
Quantifying hub-like behavior in protein folding networks

The free energy landscape of a protein is a function of many interdependent degrees of freedom. For this reason, conceptual constructs (e.g., funnels) have been useful to visualize these landscapes. One relatively new construct is the idea of a hub-like native state that is the final destination of many noninterconverting folding pathways. This is in contrast to the idea of a single predominant folding pathway connecting the native state to a rapidly interconverting ensemble of unfolded states. The key quantity to distinguish between these two ideas is the connectivity of the unfolded ensemble. We present a metric to determine this connectivity for a given network, which can be calculated either from continuous folding trajectories, or a Markov model. The metric determines how often a region of space is used as an intermediate on transition paths that connect two other regions of space, and we use it here to determine how often two parts of the unfolded ensemble are connected directly versus how often the...
Assumed strain formulation for the four‐node quadrilateral with improved in‐plane bending behaviour

A new assumed strain quadrilateral element with highly accurate in-plane bending behaviour is presented for plane stress and plane strain analysis. The basic idea of the formulation consists in identification of various modes of deformation and then in proper modification of the strain field in some of these modes. In particular, the strain operator corresponding to the in-plane bending modes is modified to simulate the strain field resulting from the assumptions usually made in structural mechanics. The modification of the strain field leads to the assumed strain operator on the element level. As a result, the so-called shear and membrane locking phenomena are alleviated. The element exhibits remarkable success in bending- dominated problems even when severely distorted and high aspect ratio meshes are used. Another advantage of the present assumed strain element is that locking for nearly incompressible materials is also mitigated. While this assumed strain element passes the patch test only for the parallelogram shapes, the element provides convergent solutions as long as the initially general form of the element approaches a parallelogram shape with the refinement of the mesh.
THE BIOLOGY OF THE FIR TREE BORER, SEMANOTUS LITIGIOSUS (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE), IN CALIFORNIA

The fir tree borer is found in the coniferous forest belt of North America. The insect can cause serious degrade in lumber manufactured from windthrown white fir. Adults attack host trees in early spring, laying eggs in bark crevices. The incubation period is 10–30 days, depending on temperatures. The larvae excavate winding galleries in the phloem, deeply etching the sapwood, until midsummer when they enter the sapwood. Damage is caused by the larvae boring up to 3 in. into the wood to construct pupal chambers. Pupation lasts 2–4 weeks in fall; callow adults are formed by September and overwinter in the pupal chambers. Emergence occurs the following March or April.Three principal natural enemies were found: two predators, woodpeckers and an ostomid beetle, and a braconid parasite. Population fluctuations hinged on availability of host material and pressure from natural enemies.
Elements of telerobotics necessary for waste clean up automation

A promising way to achieve increased remote worksystem efficiency is to layer telerobotic technologies onto teleoperated remote systems. The research being reported here will enable the teleoperation baseline to be supplemented with operator-selective telerobotic modes of operation that allow automatic performance of subtasks that are either repetitive, require high precision, or involve extreme patience. Before subtask automation can be exploited, however, it is necessary to explicitly represent the 3D geometry of the task space scene surrounding the remote worksystem. The Robot Task Space Analyzer (RSTA) is a tool for remote equipment operators that combines infrared laser and visible stereo imaging, human-interactive modeling and computer-based object recognition to build 3D models of the immediate work zone in which a robot system is operating. This paper presents the hardware and software design of the RTSA system. Human factors aspects the system operation and design are discussed.
Formation and maneuver control of multiple spacecraft

In this paper, we propose a novel control scheme that enables a group of multiple spacecraft to maneuver according to a desired trajectory while the internal shape of the group is ensured to converge to a prescribed formation structure. The main innovation of this paper lies in the design of a special decomposition that decomposes the dynamics of the group into two parts: dynamics of the overall group motion (average system), and the dynamics of the group internal formation (shape system). In addition, the decomposition has the property that the energies of the average and shape systems preserve that of the original system. Thus, the maneuver of the group can be achieved by controlling the average system, while the formation control can be achieved by controlling the shape system. The proposed control scheme can also be extended hierarchically for multiple groups. Simulation is performed to show the efficacy of the proposed control.
ESTIMATED IMPACT OF WITHDRAWING SPECIFIED PECTICIDES FROM COTTON PRODUCTION

Pesticides have become a major input for is complicated because several regions are involved commercial agriculture. The quantity of pesticides and the characteristics of each are different. applied annually is approximately 140 million pounds Due to regional production differences, this [2]. Even with this level of pesticide use, research study was developed to estimate regional as well as indicates that per an additional dollar of pesticide national effects on cotton production that might use, returns are increased two to four dollars [5, 9]. evolve due to particular pesticide bans. For this work, However, recent emphasis on environmental quality five families for herbicides including anilines, has caused considerable pressure to discontinue use of triazines, arsenic, urea and oil solvents were used some pesticides. This raises important questions along with three families of insecticides including regarding the impact of withdrawing specific organochlorines, organophosphates and carbamates. pesticides from commercial agriculture.' STUDY AREA In response to possible cancellations, research has been directed toward establishing expected effects. All of the cotton producing states were included However, much of the completed research is directed in the evaluation. To appropriately consider regional principally at the producer level and associated differences, the cotton producing area of the United economic consequences of restricting the use of a States were divided into regions with fairly pesticide. Some of the pesticides evaluated are homogenous production characteristics. A small work phenoxy herbicides, organochlorines and chlordane group of economists, entomologists and agronomists [1, 3, 4, 7]. Other studies have considered the effect worked out the regional divisions as shown in Figure of a tax and change in government farm policy on 1. Each of the eight regions was then subdivided into level of pesticide use [8] . dryland and irrigated cotton since associated yields Common limitations of most of these studies and costs were significantly different. However, only have not considered cropping pattern adjustment or dryland cotton proved relevant in the first two crop price response due to output changes. The regions and only irrigated cotton was relevant in the
Pharmacodynamic application of l-dopa in cardiogenic shock

Abstract l -dopa was administered to 20 dogs in cardiogenic shock. Beneficial effects were noted three to five minutes after infusion began, but more significant effects were observed within 15 minutes, reaching a maximum 45 to 60 minutes after infusion. The principal changes observed were: (1) a significant increase in coronary flow, (2) a significant rise in left ventricular dp dt max , and (3) a decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance. Aortic and mesenteric flows increased significantly. Renal flow did not improve throughout the l -dopa infusion. l -dopa benefits were probably due to a stimulation of the beta-receptors.
Distributed QoS compilation and runtime instantiation

The rapid growth and coexistence of different application domains, such as multimedia and electronic commerce, present a significant challenge to the provision of their quality of service (QoS). To solve this challenge, we need a unified QoS framework, which allows flexibility and reconfigurability. In this paper, we present a reconfigurable component-based QoS framework, called 2K/sup Q/, which solves the challenge by partitioning the end-to-end QoS setup process into distributed QoS compilation and runtime QoS instantiation phases for different types of applications. Entities, services and protocols of this framework, such as application-to-component translator and component-to-resources translators, achieve the distributed QoS compilation and prepare all necessary QoS structures for the end-to-end QoS setup. Other capabilities of this framework, such as a reconfigurable middleware and functional adaptation, achieve the runtime instantiation of the end-to-end QoS setup. We have implemented the first prototype of this framework and the results show a feasible overhead of the runtime service instantiation and reconfiguration for different applications and their QoS requirements.
A practical examination of multimodal feedback and guidance signals for mobile touchscreen keyboards

Mobile devices with touch capabilities often utilize touchscreen keyboards. However, due to the lack of tactile feedback, users often have to switch their focus of attention between the keyboard area, where they must locate and click the correct keys, and the text area, where they must verify the typed output. This can impair user experience and performance. In this paper, we examine multimodal feedback and guidance signals that keep users' focus of attention in the keyboard area but also provide the kind of information users would normally receive in the text area. We evaluated whether combinations of multimodal signals could improve typing performance in a controlled experiment. One combination reduced keystrokes-per-character by 8% and correction backspaces by 28%.
Effects of whole-stream nutrient enrichment on the concentration and abundance of aquatic hyphomycete conidia in transport.

The concentrations and relative abun- dances of aquatic hyphomycete conidia in water were followed during a three-year study in two headwater streams at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina, using the membrane-filtration technique. After a one-year pretreatment period, one of the streams was enriched continuously with inorganic nu- trients (N1P) for two years while the other stream served as the reference. This ecosystem-level nutrient manipulation resulted in concentrations of aquatic hyphomycete conidia in the water of the treated stream that were 4.5-6.9 times higher than the con- centrations observed during the pretreatment period and in the reference stream. Nutrient enrichment led to an increase in the number of fungal species detected on each sampling date. Changes in domi- nance patterns and relative abundances of individual species also were detected after treatment. Nutrient addition stimulates the reproductive activity of aquat- ic hyphomycetes, their colonization success and fun- gal-mediated leaf-litter decomposition. Such changes in the activity of the fungal community might affect higher trophic levels in lotic ecosystems.
Predominance of fetal type DJH joining in young children with B precursor lymphoblastic leukemia as evidence for an in utero transforming event.

The presence of N sequences in the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the rearranged immunoglobulin H chain is developmentally regulated: N regions are generally present in the DJH joinings of adult B cells but are often absent in fetal B cells. Analysis of the CDR3 in 61 B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias indicated that 87.5% of the leukemias obtained from children 3 yr old, only 11.1% of the leukemias lacked N regions at this junction, a frequency similar to what we have observed in B cells from children and adults. These findings suggest that the majority of leukemias presenting within the first 3 yr of age arise from an in utero transforming event.