cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Connections between A.K. Romney’s analyses of endogamy and other developments in log-linear models and network analysis☆

Abstract This paper examines contributions of A.K. Romney and associates to analyses of endogamy, and discusses the more general themes explored in these endogamy studies. The techniques used in these papers are relevant to many types of analysis of contingency tables, and to other settings such as social mobility. Some of these connections are explored here, all with a view to the importance of the margins of the table for different kinds of analysis. In particular, the paper discusses descriptive and analytical uses of classical iterative proportional fitting (IPF), some specific log-linear models, and the margins of sociomatrices. The paper also includes analyses of example data.
The genesis of dermatoglyphics

The following hypothesis concerning the development of fingerprints, previously recorded in part only in anatomic literature, is elucidated and supported by embryologic and primate studies, as well as by mathematical reasoning: The dermal ridge configurations are a direct consequence of the surface topography of the fetal hand during the period of dermal ridge development—between the thirteenth and nineteenth weeks of prenatal life—during which time the ridges form transversely to the lines of growth stress. The dermatoglyphic findings from 25 individuals with congenitally malformed hands support the hypothesis. Dermatoglyphics, then, are not primarily genetically determined, but provide an indirect, indelible historical perspective of the form of the early fetal hand.
Purification Strategies and Assay Development for an Essential Plasmodial Protease

Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite responsible for the most deadly cases of malaria. Emerging drug resistance to current therapies requires research to develop new antimalarials. A potential target of new drugs is the proteolytic egress cascade, which has been identified as essential to the blood stage parasite. A key protein in the cascade is subtilisin-like protease 1 (SUB1). This protease undergoes two self-cleavage events to separate the N-terminal prodomain, necessary for correct folding, from the C-terminal, catalytic domain. To obtain protein suitable for crystallization, we have expressed SUB1 both in bacterial and insect cell systems. However, recovery is difficult and yield is often low. To improve the yield and purity of the protein, we employ a selective affinity purification scheme developed in the lab. Our SPR validation assays indicate specific binding of a protein originating from either insect cell or bacterial expression of recombinant SUB1. The possibility of producing active SUB1 in bacterial systems after undergoing limited proteolysis is also being explored and validated via SPR analysis. Determining dissociation conditions and residues important to the interaction via mutational studies will provide a more comprehensive understanding of this protease and aid in future structure based drug design.
Generalized scaling variational method and energy eigenvalues for the Yukawa potential.

In a previous paper [Phys. Rev. A 30, 1229 (1984)] we applied the scaling variational method formulated in terms of the SO(2,1) dynamical group to screened Coulomb potentials. Here we generalize that method by scaling a linear combination of SO(2,1) basis states, solving for the eigenvalues by determinant, and minimizing through a search algorithm. The method is applied with high accuracy to the simple Yukawa potential.
Effect That Providing Fishing Information Has on Angler Expectations and Satisfaction

Abstract Anglers on Lake Miltona, Minnesota, who were given fishing information (catch rate and average weight of available species) generally did not show significant differences in satisfaction or expectations from a control group of anglers who were not provided with this information. Exceptions were the successful anglers for walleye Stizostedion vitreum and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Anglers were more satisfied with nonconsumptive aspects of the fishing experience (natural beauty of the lake, water quality, weather, quality of the access to the lake by boats) than with consumptive aspects (size and number of fish caught). Expectations of fish size were more realistic than expectations of catch rate: 67% of the anglers evaluated the average walleye (determined by creel surveys to be 2.1 lb) as “about what I expected,” whereas 47% evaluated the average walleye catch rate (0.2 fish/h) as “less than I expected.” Walleye anglers showed higher expectations of walleye catch rate than other angle...
Gliomatosis cerebri: clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare diffusely infiltrating primary neoplastic glial process of the brain. Our objective is to review clinical presentation, management, and outcome in a large single institution series of gliomatosis cerebri patients. 54 consecutive gliomatosis cerebri cases presenting to Mayo Clinic Rochester between 1991 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria included involvement of at least three cerebral lobes, lack of a single discrete mass and pathological confirmation of diffuse glioma. Median overall survival (OS) was 18.5 months. Age, gender, presenting symptoms, and contrast enhancement did not correlate significantly with survival, though there was a trend toward decreased overall survival in patients above the median age of 46 years. Karnofsky performance score <70 was associated with poor OS (median 9.5 vs. 20.5 months, p = 0.02). Higher histologic grade was associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS; median for WHO grades II, III, and IV: 21.5, 6.5, and 4 months; p = 0.03) and OS (median 34, 15.5, and 8.5 months; p < 0.05). Radiation therapy was strongly associated with better prognosis (PFS 16.5 vs. 4.5 months, p < 0.01; OS 27.5 vs. 6.5, p < 0.01), but chemotherapy was not. Gliomatosis cerebri patients have a poor prognosis. Lower KPS upon presentation and higher histologic grade predict decreased survival. Surgery’s role is limited beyond biopsy for diagnostic purposes. Radiotherapy appears beneficial, although selection bias could be present in this retrospective study. Chemotherapy’s value is not as clear but this must be interpreted with caution given variable treatment regimens in this series.
Abortion attitudes of pregnant women in prenatal care.

Objective This study was undertaken to describe abortion attitudes in a diverse cohort of pregnant women enrolled in prenatal care. Study design A cross-sectional interview study of 1082 demographically diverse gravid women enrolled in prenatal care at less than 20 weeks' gestation was performed. Results Most participants (92%) supported abortion availability. Half (50%) who were willing to consider an abortion would do so only in the first trimester. Among the gravid women willing to consider an abortion in the first or second trimester, 84% would do so after rape/incest or if their life was endangered and 76% would if their fetus had Down syndrome. Gravid women considering abortion were more likely to be white, older, have had a previous abortion, and to express distrust in the health care system. Women who would not consider abortion were more likely to be multiparous, married/living with partner, and to express greater faith and fatalism about their pregnancy outcome. Conclusion Although most pregnant women enrolled in prenatal care support abortion availability, about half would only consider a first-trimester procedure. These findings underscore the need for early prenatal genetic counseling, screening, and testing.
Pulp extirpation within 14 days after tooth replantation reduces inflammatory root resorption.

Systematic review conclusion The authors of this systematic review found an association between delayed pulp extirpation (performed more than 14 days after replantation) and the occurrence of inflammatory root resorption, thereby supporting the existing clinical guidelines that recommend performing pulp extirpation within seven to 10 days after replantation. Critical summary assessment The results of this systematic review showed that although there was no association between timing of pulp extirpation and periodontal healing, functional healing, acceptable healing or replacement resorption, there was an association between pulp extirpation performed within 10 to 14 days after tooth replantation and a reduced incidence of inflammatory resorption. Evidence quality rating Poor.
Schooling, employment, and idleness in young adults with serious physical health conditions: Effects of age, disability status, and parental education

Purpose: Education, employment, and “idleness” in young adults with ongoing physical health conditions were examined in relation to parents' education and respondent's age and co-existing disabilities. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 421 individuals aged 20–24 years randomly drawn from public health programs in two midwestern states. In addition to a chronic health condition, 18% of the sample also had mental retardation, 21% also had a physical disability (but no retardation), and 11% also had a learning disability (but no mental retardation or physical disability). Youth were considered “idle” if they were not in school, not employed, not married, and had no children. Results: Thirty-seven percent of the sample were enrolled in an educational program, and 48% were employed either part-time or full-time. Seventeen percent were both in school and employed, 50% were in school or employed, and 33% were neither in school nor working. Overall, 23% of the sample were idle. Youth with mental retardation were two to three times more likely to be in school compared to youth with a chronic physical condition alone. Youth with mental retardation and physical disabilities were less likely to be employed and more likely to be idle compared to youth with only a chronic condition. Parental education affected rates of schooling and employment. Compared to a general population sample of youth in the same states, youth with ongoing health problems were at higher risk for idleness. Conclusions: Youth with chronic health conditions and either mental retardation or physical disabilities are at higher risk for idleness compared to youth with a chronic condition alone or to youth in general.
Alzheimer's disease and neuronal network activity

The amyloid β-peptide theory of Alzheimer’s Disease has helped to advance our understanding of the disease tremendously. A new area of research focuses on the changes in neuronal network activity that take place and may contribute to the clinical and pathological picture of Alzheimer’s Disease. An apparent symptom of altered neuronal network activity in Alzheimer’s Disease is an increased frequency in epileptic seizures that is observed both in human patients and in mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease. A root cause for altered network activity may be amyloid β itself by its ability to alter synaptic (glutamatergic) transmission and to impair the induction of long-term potentiation. It is on this aspect of Alzheimer’s Disease research that the current issue of NeuroMolecular Medicine will focus. Reviews will discuss the basic research and clinical aspects of the issue such as the effects of amyloid β on synaptic transmission and neuronal networks, as well as the changes in functional MRI activation patterns observed in early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and the frequency and relevance of epileptic seizures in Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
Compressing multiple scales of impact detection by Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy

Abstract Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) is a scientometric technique that effectively reveals punctuated peaks of historical scientific impact on a specified research field or technology. In many cases, a seminal discovery serves as the driving force underlying any given peak. Importantly, the results from a RPYS analyses are represented on their own distinct scales, the bounds of which vary considerably across analyses. This makes comparing years of punctuated impact across multiple RPYS analyses problematic. In this paper, we propose a data transformation and visualization technique that resolves this challenge. Specifically, using a rank-order normalization procedure, we compress the results of multiple RPYS analyses into a single, consistent rank scale that clearly highlights years of punctuated impact across RPYS analyses. We suggest that rank transformation increases the effectiveness of this scientometric technique to reveal the scope of historical impact of seminal works by allowing researchers to simultaneously consider results from multiple RPYS analyses.
QCD AT COLLIDERS

The success of the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) in describing processes controlled by the strong interaction is generally seen as a triumph of modern particle physics. This paper reviews recent QCD measurements using hadronic jet final states from the Fermilab Tevatron, DESY's HERA, and CERN's LEP colliders. Recent advancements in the measurements of jet production cross sections, events shapes, and energy flow, along with improved theoretical calculations, allow for new levels of precision in the study of the physics of strong interactions and point to areas in need of further refinement.
Incidence of Neutrophil Antigens on Human Cord Neutrophils

Neutrophils isolated from cord blood of healthy newborns (33 blacks and 21 whites) were investigated by EDTA-microagglutination for their expression of neutrophil specific antigens that have been associated with isoimmune neonatal or autoimmune neutropenia. Equal volumes of various neutrophil antisera (2 microliter) and cord neutrophils (3-5 X 10(6)/ml) were mixed in tissue typing microplates under oil and were incubated at room temperature for 6-8 hr, following which the degree of agglutination was noted. Our data revealed that all the currently recognized neutrophil antigens are readily demonstrable by antineutrophil antibodies in cord blood, (NA1, 52-54%; NA2, 81-85%; NB1, 95-96%; NC1, 90%; 9A, 29-30%) suggesting that neutrophil antigens are fully expressed at birth.
Comparison of abdominal circumference measurements by real‐time and b‐scan techniques

In an effort to evaluate the efficacy of measuring abdominal circumference with real-time ultrasound, 53 patients were scanned with both contact scanning and linear array real time. Image measurements were made blindly from both types of equipment. Abdominal circumference measurements with real time compared favorably with those obtained from contact images (r = +0.984).
Modulation of Extracellular γ-Aminobutyric Acid in the Ventral Pallidum Using In Vivo Microdialysis

Intracranial microdialysis was used to investigate the origin of extracellular gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the ventral pallidum. Changes in basal GABA levels in response to membrane depolarizers, ion-channel blockers, and receptor agonists were determined. Antagonism of Ca2+ fluxes with high Mg2+ in a Ca(2+)-free perfusion buffer decreased GABA levels by up to 30%. Inhibition of voltage-dependent Na+ channels by the addition of tetrodotoxin also significantly decreased basal extracellular GABA concentrations by up to 45%, and blockade of Ca2+ and Na+ channels with verapamil reduced extracellular GABA by as much as 30%. The addition of either the GABAA agonist, muscimol, or the GABAB agonist, baclofen, produced a 40% reduction in extracellular GABA. GABA release was stimulated by high K+ and the addition of veratridine to increase Na+ influx. High K(+)-induced release was predominantly Ca(2+)-dependent, whereas the effect of veratridine was potentiated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Both high K(+)- and veratridine-induced elevations in extracellular GABA were inhibited by baclofen, whereas only veratridine-induced release was antagonized by muscimol. These results demonstrate that at least 50% of basal extracellular GABA in the ventral pallidum is derived from Ca(2+)- or Na(+)-dependent mechanisms. They also suggest that Na(+)-dependent release of GABA via reversal of the uptake carrier can be shown in vivo.
A Bayesian Method for the Induction of Probabilistic Networks from Data

This paper presents a Bayesian method for constructing probabilistic networks from databases. In particular, we focus on constructing Bayesian belief networks. Potential applications include computer-assisted hypothesis testing, automated scientific discovery, and automated construction of probabilistic expert systems. We extend the basic method to handle missing data and hidden (latent) variables. We show how to perform probabilistic inference by averaging over the inferences of multiple belief networks. Results are presented of a preliminary evaluation of an algorithm for constructing a belief network from a database of cases. Finally, we relate the methods in this paper to previous work, and we discuss open problems.
Functional-link net computing: theory, system architecture, and functionalities

A system architecture and a network computational approach compatible with the goal of devising a general-purpose artificial neural network computer are described. The functionalities of supervised learning and optimization are illustrated, and cluster analysis and associative recall are briefly mentioned. >
Effect of smokeless tobacco and tobacco-related chemical carcinogens on survival of ultraviolet light-inactivated herpes simplex virus.

Abstract Low doses of ultraviolet (UV) light, x-rays, photodynamic treatment, or aflatoxins increase the survival of UV-irradiated virus in cells. This effect is postulated to occur by enhancement of the error-prone cellular repair function, which could also be associated with oncogenic cell transformation. The present study was designed to investigate whether treatment of green monkey kidney cells with water extract of snuff (snuff extract), benzo [a] pyrene, nicotine, or tobacco-specific N′ -nitrosamines would result in enhanced survival of UV-irradiated herpes simplex virus (HSV). Exposure of the cells with snuff extract, benzo [a] pyrene, N′ -nitrosonornicotine, or 4-( N -methyl- N′ -nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone resulted in an enhancement of survival of UV-irradiated HSV type 1 compared with the control whereas exposure of the cells with nicotine did not. These data indicate that the water-extractable component of snuff and tobacco-related chemical carcinogens increase the cellular repair mechanism and provides for increased survival of UV-irradiated HSV.
Public debt and financial development

Abstract We examine the role of public debt in financial development. The literature has highlighted its supportive role through providing collateral and benchmark. We contrast this “safe asset” view to a “lazy banks” view: developing banking sectors that lend mainly to the public sector may develop more slowly, because it could make banks profitable but inefficient. Results from country-level and bank-level regressions are more supportive of the “lazy banks” view, but the “safe asset” view seems to play a role at moderate levels of public debt held by banks. There is also evidence of a harmful interaction between public debt and financial repression.
Enhancing and Assessing Critical Thinking in a Psychological Research Methods Course

This article presents an assessment of critical thinking skills and paranormal beliefs in students taking a research methods course. The course emphasized separating scientific claims from pseudoscientific assumptions and used real-world examples to teach students to think critically; however, the course did not use examples of the paranormal to teach about pseudoscience. There was a significant decrease in students’ paranormal beliefs at the end of the course and significant improvement in their abilities to evaluate psychological research; however, there was not a significant change in their general critical thinking abilities. In addition, all measures related to course performance, such that students who showed lower levels of paranormal beliefs and greater general critical thinking abilities at the outset of the course earned more total points. The author discusses how the course builds skills recommended for psychology majors and identifies areas for future research in scientific thinking and belief...
Novel mechanism of increased Ca2+ release following oxidative stress in neuronal cells involves type 2 inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors

Dysregulation of Ca(2+) signaling following oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological mechanism of many chronic neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, age-related macular degeneration, glaucomatous and diabetic retinopathies. However, the underlying mechanisms of disturbed intracellular Ca(2+) signaling remain largely unknown. We here describe a novel mechanism for increased intracellular Ca(2+) release following oxidative stress in a neuronal cell line. Using an experimental approach that included quantitative polymerase chain reaction, quantitative immunoblotting, microfluorimetry and the optical imaging of intracellular Ca(2+) release, we show that sub-lethal tert-butyl hydroperoxide-mediated oxidative stress result in a selective up-regulation of type-2 inositol-1,4,5,-trisphophate receptors. This oxidative stress mediated change was detected both at the transcriptional and translational level and functionally resulted in increased Ca(2+) release into the nucleoplasm from the membranes of the nuclear envelope at a given receptor-specific stimulus. Our data describe a novel source of Ca(2+) dysregulation induced by oxidative stress with potential relevance for differential subcellular Ca(2+) signaling specifically within the nucleus and the development of novel neuroprotective strategies in neurodegenerative disorders.
moral heuristics: rigid rules or flexible inputs in moral deliberation?

sunstein represents moral heuristics as rigid rules that lead us to jump to moral conclusions, and contrasts them with reflective moral deliberation, which he represents as independent of heuristics and capable of supplanting them. following john dewey's psychology of moral judgment, i argue that successful moral deliberation does not supplant moral heuristics but uses them flexibly as inputs to deliberation. many of the flaws in moral judgment that sunstein attributes to heuristics reflect instead the limitations of the deliberative context in which people are asked to render judgments.
Identifying reliable subnetwork markers in protein-protein interaction network for classification of breast cancer metastasis

Due to the inherent measurement noise in microarray experiments, heterogeneity across samples, and limited sample size, it is often hard to find reliable gene markers for classification. For this reason, several studies proposed to analyze the expression data at the level of groups of functionally related genes such as pathways. One practical problem of these pathway-based approaches is the limited coverage of genes by known pathways. To overcome this problem, we propose a new method for identifying effective subnetwork markers by overlaying the gene expression data with a genome-scale protein-protein interaction network. Experimental results on two independent breast cancer datasets show that the subnetwork markers lead to more accurate classification of breast cancer metastasis and are more reproducible than both gene and pathway markers.
Bayesian shrinkage estimates and forecasts of individual and total or aggregate outcomes

Abstract Bayesian shrinkage a la Stein and others can improve estimation of individual parameters and forecasts of individual future outcomes. In this paper the issue of the impact of shrinkage on the estimation of sums or totals of individual parameters and of individual outcomes is analyzed. Quadratic and “balanced” loss functions will be employed. The latter are a linear combination of “goodness of fit” and “precision of estimation” loss functions. Several examples will be analyzed in detail to illustrate general principles.
Cells to Surgery Quiz: July 2015

QUESTIONS 1. A 20-year-old woman presents to the clinic complaining of this eruption (see image above), which has been present intermittently for two years. Which of the following statements is false regarding the pathophysiology of this disease? a. The severity of this eruption does not correlate with serum androgen levels. b. Individuals with complete androgen insensitivity are not affected by this disease. c. Estrogen in sufficient amounts is known to suppress sebum production. d. Sebum composition may be more important for the development of these lesions than the secreted amount. e. High linoleate levels have been observed in the skin surface lipids of these patients. Cells to Surgery Quiz: July 2015 Mohammed Alsaidan1, Brian J. Simmons1, Fleta N. Bray1, Mohammad-Ali Yazdani Abyaneh1 and Keyvan Nouri1 Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2015) 135, e15. doi:10.1038/jid.2015.173
Prostaglandin F2α levels in peripheral sera of man

Abstract Antibodies to PGF2α and PGF1α, which discriminate between these two prostaglandins and the metabolic products, 15-keto-PGF2α and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α, were used to determine PGF2α levels in peripheral sera of man. The procedure for extraction of serum and the efficiency and reproducibility of this extraction are presented. Seventy-six samples of peripheral sera were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. These values are presented. In general, sera from males were found to contain larger amounts of PGF2α than sera from females.
Sacred Space and Touristic Development At Jebel Musa (Mt Sinai), Egypt

Tourism has affected adversely the spiritual welfare of the Greek Orthodox monks of the Monastery of St. Catherine in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The monastery occupies what the monks believe is sacred space around Mt. Sinai. They are obliged by tradition to host visitors who for many centuries were mainly pilgrims. Since 1967 increasingly large numbers of secular tourists have replaced pilgrims. Construction of tourist accommodations has violated sacred space around the monastery. Pressures of looking after tourists have reduced the monks' ability to perform religious duties. Recently-considered development plans would increase tourist visitation substantially. This study uses interviews with the monks to evaluate the importance of sacred places and the threat tourism poses to them. It proposes that touristic development in the area should consider the monks' place-related values, impose a ceiling on tourist visitation, and educate tourists on appropriate behavior in this environment.
Multichannel vaginal cylinder brachytherapy-Impact of tumor thickness and location on dose to organs at risk.

Abstract Purpose Multichannel vaginal cylinder brachytherapy (MCVCB) has the potential to sculpt dose distribution, although this is typically reserved for lesions Methods and Materials Patients previously treated with MCVCB were randomly selected to each fill one of six categories based on location (lateral, anterior, or vaginal cuff and/or apex) and size of cylinder (2.5 or 3.0 cm). Based on magnetic resonance image, each patient's target lesion was extended circumferentially into theoretical high-risk clinical target volumes measuring 5, 7, and 10 mm in thickness. Image-based brachytherapy treatment plans for each of the six patients' three target volumes were generated. Total 2 Gy per fraction equivalent dosages (EQD2) were calculated using an external beam radiation therapy dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions in conjunction with a high-dose-rate brachytherapy dose of 25 Gy in five fractions. Results Maximum EQD2 vaginal surface doses in gray for 5-, 7-, and 10-mm targets were as follows (location-cylinder size): lateral-3.0 cm: 122/153/210, lateral-2.5 cm: 145/195/301, anterior-3.0 cm: 115/135/197, anterior-2.5 cm: 132/173/283, apex-3.0 cm: 173/241/367, and apex-2.5 cm: 349/461/706. Total rectal EQD2 D 2 cc ranged from 53.9 to 67.2 Gy. Total bladder EQD2 D 2 cc ranged from 51.5 to 71.2 Gy. Conclusions The vaginal surface dose seems to be the dose-limiting structure for anterior, lateral, and apical vaginal lesions. Caution should be taken when treating lesions >5 mm in depth, with particular attention to vaginal surface dose, especially for apical lesions and with smaller cylinders. In such cases, interstitial brachytherapy should be given strong consideration.
Aphasic Grammatical Involvement as Indicated by Spelling Ability

Summary The study purported to investigate certain grammatical abilities of aphasics through the vehicle of spelling ability. Secondary aims included an assessment of the correlation between age and spelling abilities and between educational level and spelling ability. Subjects of the investigation were 25 males with diagnosed aphasia of such a nature as to be clinically classified as mild. Subjects performed a spelling task consisting of orally spelling 100 words, 25 in each of four categories: nouns, verbs, descriptive modifiers and non-propositional morphemes. Stimulus item words were presented orally, by the examiner in a carried phrase, and the subject's responses were tape-recorded and evaluated at a later date. Under the limitations of subject sample, experimental procedure and statistical methods used, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) The aphasic's ability to spell words according to part-of-speech does not show selective difficulty between nouns, verbs, or descriptive modifiers. 2) Non-propositional morphemes present greater difficulty for the aphasic, and he is able to spell them less well than words from the other three parts-of-speech categories. 3) There is no relation between age and the aphasic's ability to spell nouns, verbs, or descriptive modifiers. However, there is a significant relation between age and ability to spell non-propositional morphemes. Older aphasic subjects are unable to spell words of the non-propositional morpheme category as well as are younger aphasic subjects. 4) There is no correlation between the aphasic's educational level and his spelling ability. In order to compare the results of this study to previous research on spelling ability of aphasics, the effects of word length and frequency of word usage were examined subsequent to the collection of the subject's responses. It was found that although the spelling errors could not be explained on the basis of frequency of occurrence of the words, there did appear to be a direct relationship between the number of spelling errors and length of the stimulus words. Nevertheless, grammatical function also has a strong effect on spelling performance.
A conservation and rigidity based method for detecting critical protein residues

Certain amino acids in proteins play a critical role in determining their structural stability and function. Examples include flexible regions such as hinges which allow domain motion, and highly conserved residues on functional interfaces which allow interactions with other proteins. Detecting these regions can aid in the analysis and simulation of protein rigidity and conformational changes, and helps characterizing protein binding and docking. We present an analysis of critical residues in proteins using a combination of two complementary techniques. One method performs in-silico mutations and analyzes the protein's rigidity to infer the role of a point substitution to Glycine or Alanine. The other method uses evolutionary conservation to find functional interfaces in proteins. We applied the two methods to a dataset of proteins, including biomolecules with experimentally known critical residues as determined by the free energy of unfolding. Our results show that the combination of the two methods can detect the vast majority of critical residues in tested proteins. Our results show that the combination of the two methods has the potential to detect more information than each method separately. Future work will provide a confidence level for the criticalness of a residue to improve the accuracy of our method and eliminate false positives. Once the combined methods are integrated into one scoring function, it can be applied to other domains such as estimating functional interfaces.
Effects of Light on Ocelli of Seastars

Dark- and light-adapted ocelli of three seastars (Patina miniata, Leptasterias pusilla, Henricia leviuscula) were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In the dark-adapted state the process of each receptor cell is relatively devoid of clear vesicles. Numerous long microvilli arise from the tips and sides of the processes. Cilia from the sensory processes project into the lumen of an ocellus; they are unconnected to the microvilli. In light-adapted ocelli each process is filled with clear pinocytotic vesicles of varying size. The microvilli are now irregular. Many lie free in the lumen of an ocellus or within phagocytic vacuoles in the supportive and corneal cells. These findings are evidence of a microvillar (rhabdomeric) type of photoreceptor in seastars and of cyclic turnover of receptoral membrane.
New Agoras and Old Institutions: The Case of Human Rights

Existing human rights doctrine and enforcement structures often fail to protect human welfare. The new agora project (Jenlink and Banathy 2002) offers a structure to democratically re-build human rights. To examine the role of new agoras in re-crafting old institutions, I begin by identifying the context of human rights: globalization, diverse identities, and democracy. After analyzing the impact of diversity on democratic structures, I introduce human rights as conceived by Banathy’s (2000) Third Generation. With this in mind, I am prepared to examine the challenges and opportunities for shaping a new operationalization of human rights using the new agora structure.
Electron-spin resonance and magnetic-susceptibility measurements on dilute alloys of Mn IN Cu, Ag and Mg

Abstract An account is given of some magnetic measurements made on alloys of Cu containing from 0.03 to 11 atomic per cent Mn in the temperature range 2° to 400° K. Less detailed work on Ag Mn and Mg Mn is also described. All of these alloys are found to obey a Curie-Weiss susceptibility law, and show an electron spin resonance line with free spin g-value. For most alloys the measured Curie constant suggests that there are between 4 and 5 unpaired electron spins per Mn atom. At low temperatures, alloys with more than about 1 at. per cent Mn appear to be antiferromagnetic, and show what can be interpreted as an unusual form of antiferromagnetic resonance absorption. Broadly speaking, the magnetic behavior is rather like that expected of Mn2+ ions coupled by strong short range interactions such as direct and superexchange. The expected long-range indirect exchange via conduction electrons appears to be extremely small, as has been previously pointed out by O wen , B rowne , K night and K ittel .
(116) Targeting pain-suppressed behaviors in preclinical assays of chronic pain: Effects of varying acquisition duration on osteoarthritis-induced suppression of wheel running in rats

Pain increases the frequency and intensity of some behaviors (e.g. withdrawal responses) and suppresses other behaviors (e.g. locomotion, feeding, grooming). Our laboratories are developing assays for testing analgesic drug candidates using measurements of pain-suppressed behaviors. Such assays may model important aspects of clinical pain and complement traditional assays that measure pain-increased behaviors. We have previously shown that open-field locomotor activity and running wheel activity can be reliably suppressed by a sub-acute noxious stimulus (i.p. injection of acetic acid) and a chronic pain manipulation (MIA-induced osteoarthritis) in mice and rats, respectively. The present study extended these findings by assessing the effects of varying the duration of running wheel acquisition on MIA-suppressed wheel running in rats. Rats had 24hr voluntary access to running wheels. The duration of running wheel acquisition was manipulated in rats that received the highest dose (3.2mg) of MIA. Rats had either (1) no running wheel acquisition, (2) three weeks of running wheel acquisition, or (3) six weeks of running wheel acquisition prior to 3.2 mg MIA injection. Wheel activity was monitored for 28 consecutive days following MIA administration. The degree of MIA-induced suppression of wheel running varied directly with the duration of acquisition. Results are discussed in the context of traditional learning theory. Parallel experiments were conducted to measure MIA pain-increased behaviors (with von Frey monofilaments) and MIA-induced changes in posture (weight-bearing). Concurrent studies are exploring the effects of MIA on knee joint bone morphology using fMRI technology. Funded by NIAMS/NIH grant R15 AR054975-01 (GWS).
EuO. I. Resistivity and Hall Effect in Fields up to 150 kOe

The resistivity $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and the Hall effect are studied in seven $n$-type EuO single-crystal samples at temperatures $4.2\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}300$ K and external magnetic fields $0\ensuremath{\le}{H}_{\mathrm{ext}}\ensuremath{\le}150$ kOe. Attention is focused on three phenomena: (i) the anomalous Hall effect (or lack thereof), (ii) the resistivity peak near the Curie temperature ${T}_{C}\ensuremath{\simeq}69$ K, and (iii) the insulator-metal transition (IMT). The Hall data at $T\ensuremath{\ll}{T}_{C}$ indicate that the anomalous Hall term in EuO is small compared to the normal term and that the effective magnetic field which governs the Hall effect is equal to the magnetic induction $B={H}_{\mathrm{int}}+4\ensuremath{\pi}M$. On this basis it is assumed that the anomalous Hall effect is negligible at all temperatures. Measurements of $\ensuremath{\rho}({H}_{\mathrm{ext}}, T)$ vs $T$, show that as ${H}_{\mathrm{ext}}$ increases the resistivity peak decreases, becomes broader, and shifts to higher temperatures. The Hall data indicate that the resistivity peak is due to the combined effect of dips in the Hall mobility $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and in the carrier concentration $n$. Measurements of ${T}_{C}$ by several methods show that ${T}_{C}$ is several degrees lower than the temperature ${T}_{max}$ at which the zero-field resistivity is maximum. A new method for obtaining ${T}_{C}$ from magnetoresistance measurements is discussed. Near room temperature the resistivity of some samples decreases exponentially with increasing $T$, with an activation energy of \ensuremath{\sim} 0.3 eV at zero magnetic field. For these "activated" samples $\ensuremath{\rho}$ changes by many orders of magnitude near the IMT. In other samples (called "nonactivated") $\ensuremath{\rho}$ varies slowly with $T$ near room temperature and the resistivity change near the IMT is smaller. In both types of samples ${H}_{\mathrm{ext}}$ shifts the IMT to higher temperatures and makes the transition more gradual. Hall measurements show that in samples with a large IMT, the IMT is almost entirely due to a change in $n$, whereas in samples with a small IMT, the IMT is due to comparable changes in both $n$ and $\ensuremath{\mu}$. Near room temperature the Hall coefficient is $H$ independent in the nonactivated sample, but decreases substantially with $H$ in the activated samples. In both types of samples the Hall mobility at 298 K increases by \ensuremath{\sim} 25% when a magnetic field of 140 kOe is applied. This indicates that spin-disorder scattering is one of the main causes for the zero-field resistivity at room temperature. The various data are compared with earlier measurements by the groups at Lincoln Laboratory and at IBM, and are also discussed in terms of current theoretical models.
Transamidinase activities, in vitro, of tissues from various mammals and from rats fed protein-free, creatine-supplemented and normal diets☆

Spleen, skeletal muscle, heart muscle, lung, brain, and testes from various mammals have been found to have measurable amounts of transamidinase activities, in vitro. These activities, expressed per unit weight of tissue, were only a fraction of the activities found in kidney and pancreas. However, in the rat, for example, the sum of the calculated total tissue activities of spleen, muscle, lung, brain, and testes was similar to the sum of the calculated total tissue activities of kidney and pancreas. Rats were fed normal, creatine-supplemented, and protein-free diets, and it was found that kidney and pancreas were the only tissues from the rats fed the latter two diets that had below normal activities. The possibility that there may be a significant synthesis of guanidinoacetic acid, in vivo, in tissues other than kidney and pancreas is discussed.
Sialic acid-deficient invasive trophoblast antigen (sd-ITA): a new urinary variant for gestational Down syndrome screening.

Background Invasive trophoblast antigen (ITA), also known as hyperglycosylated hCG, is a glycosylation variant of hCG produced by invasive cytotrophoblast cells. Publications show that ITA is potentially a sensitive test for Down syndrome screening, reportedly detecting 38 and 80% of cases at a 5% false-positive rate in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy respectively. ITA has six oligosaccharides varying greatly in terminal sialic acid content (0–19 residues), leading to wide-charge heterogeneity. With the objective of developing an improved Down syndrome screening test, we examined the charge, or sialic acid variants, of ITA. Methods Twenty urine samples were collected from the 16th to 18th week of gestation from 10 patients with trisomy 21 fetuses, demonstrated by karyotype analysis, and from 10 patients with normal karyotype pregnancies. Proteins in each sample were separated by preparative isoelectric focusing. Fractions were collected, pooled into the pl ranges of 3.0 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0, 5.1 to 6.0 and 6.1 to 7.0 and assayed for ITA. Results A difference in the distribution of ITA charge variants was demonstrated between cases and controls, most apparent in the less acidic (pl 5.1–7.0) range. The controls and Down syndrome samples contained 26.7 ± 14% versus 45.6 ± 20%, respectively, of the less acidic form of ITA (P = 0.02). Conclusions The ITA in Down syndrome cases is composed of a much higher proportion of less acidic ITA. This could be the major source of elevated levels of ITA in Down syndrome pregnancies. It is postulated that the development of a new assay specifically measuring ITA that is deficient in sialic acid might enhance the utility of the already highly sensitive screening tests for Down syndrome. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature dependence of the Raman-active lithium modes in LiKSO4and LiNaSO4

External optic vibrational modes originating primarily in the motion of lithium ions are unambiguously identified by Raman scattering from isotopically enriched $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$KS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and compared with similar modes found in LiNaS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. These modes in both LiKS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and LiNaS${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ appear to be overdamped, broadening with increasing temperature and essentially vanishing at temperatures far below the reported phase-transition temperature. An anomalous maximum in the bandwidths of these modes is observed and discussed.
Physics of and recent results from the Lawrence Livermore EBIT source

Abstract The electron beam ion trap at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is used to produce and trap very highly charged ions for the study of electron-ion interactions. Measurements of X-ray transitions in neonlike thorium (Th 80+ ), ionization cross sections of lithiumlike barium (Ba 53+ ), and of level-specific dielectronic recombination cross sections of helium-like iron (Fe 24+ ) are presented.
Interaction of metronidazole with escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acid

Abstract To define the characteristics of the reported binding of metronidazole to DNA, we isolated the DNA from hypoxic incubation mixtures that contained both [ 14 C]metronidazole and metronidazolesusceptible strains of Escherichia coli . Thus, either [2- 14 C] metronidazole or [1',2'- 14 C] metronidazole was incubated with either wild-type E . coli (strain AB1157) or a DNA repair mutant (strain SR58) that is highly susceptible to metronidazole. Approximately 0.02% of the radiolabel in the metronidazole was found to be associated with DNA isolated from both strains of bacteria, a percentage similar to that found to be associated with DNA from mammalian sources in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments performed by other investigators. The bound radioactivity was not diminished, however, when a great excess of non-radiolabeled metronidazole was included in the incubation mixture, indicating that the binding we observed was probably due to impurities in the radiolabeled metronidazole. We also examined the binding to DNA of a possible surrogate for the partially reduced form of metronidazole, l-methyl-4-phenyl-5-nitrosoimidazole (5NO), that has been described previously. The binding of the tritiated form of 5NO to DNA was also found to be undiminished by the addition of carrier 5NO (a finding which does not refute the hypothesis that 5NO may serve as a surrogate for the study of the active form of metronidazole). These studies do not exclude the binding to DNA of either metronidazole or a possible surrogate of its active functionality, but they indicate that if such binding occurs, it must be limited to very few sites on DNA and hence will be difficult to characterize.
Invertible Preservers and Algebraic Groups II: Preservers of Similarity Invariants and Overgroups of PSLn (F)

Let F be an algebraically closed field. Identify PSLn (F) as a subgroup of SLn2 (F) via the conjugation representation on Mn (F). We find all overgroups of PSLn (F). This was studied by Dokovic and Platonov in characteristic zero. The results are then applied to classify the invertible linear maps on Mn (F)or sln (F) which preserve some similarity invariant property. This provides a unified proof for various existing results and yields some new results. We consider similar questions for actions on symmetric and exterior spaces.
Recurrent axon collaterals of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the retina, have axons that project via the optic nerve to diverse targets in the brain. Typically, RGC axons do not branch before exiting the retina and thus do not provide it with synaptic feedback. Although a small subset of RGCs with intraretinal axon collaterals has been previously observed in human, monkey, cat, and turtle, their function remains unknown. A small, more recently identified population of RGCs expresses the photopigment melanopsin. These intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) transmit an irradiance-coding signal to visual nuclei in the brain, contributing both to image-forming vision and to several nonimage-forming functions, including circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light reflex. In this study, using melanopsin immunolabeling in monkey and a genetic method to sparsely label the melanopsin cells in mouse, we show that a subgroup of ipRGCs have axons that branch en route to the optic disc, forming intraretinal axon collaterals that terminate in the inner plexiform layer of the retina. The previously described collateral-bearing population identified by intracellular dye injection is anatomically indistinguishable from the collateral-bearing melanopsin cells identified here, suggesting they are a subset of the melanopsin-expressing RGC type and may therefore share its functional properties. Identification of an anatomically distinct subpopulation in mouse, monkey, and human suggests this pathway may be conserved in these and other species (turtle and cat) with intraretinal axon collaterals. We speculate that ipRGC axon collaterals constitute a likely synaptic pathway for feedback of an irradiance signal to modulate retinal light responses.