cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rb-Sr glauconite isochron of the Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone, North Carolina

The 11-m-thick lectostratotype of the Castle Hayne Limestone in New Hanover County, North Carolina, consists of lower phosphate pebble biomicrudite; middle bryozoan biosparrudite; and upper bryozoan-sponge biomicrudite. The relative age of the Castle Hayne Limestone is equivocal. The planktic foraminiferal fauna and part of the molluscan fauna suggest that the entire formation should be correlated with the Gulf Coast Claibornian Stage (middle Eocene), whereas calcareous nannofossils, bryozoans, barnacles, and some molluscs indicate that the upper bryozoan-sponge biomicrudite is a Gulf Coast Jacksonian Stage (upper Eocene) equivalent. Because of problems correlating the Castle Hayne Limestone to equivalent Gulf Coast stages, the lectostratotype was dated by application of the Rb-Sr glauconite isochron. Five hand-picked glauconite concentrates analyzed for Rb, Sr, and Sr-isotopic composition yielded an isochron age of 34.8 ± 1 m.y. (λ Rb 87 = 1.42 × 10−11 yr−1) with an initial (Sr87/Sr86) ratio of 0.7083 ± 0.0004. The determined initial (Sr87/Sr86) ratio is in good agreement with previous estimates of the Sr-isotopic composition of sea water during the Eocene. Although the age is younger than the value of 37 m.y. earlier proposed for the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, it agrees with fission-track and K-Ar ages of tektites and microtektites, and K-Ar ages of bentonites and glauconites in upper Eocene marine and nonmarine units throughout the world.
Isoform-specific expression of sodium channels in astrocytes in vitro: immunocytochemical observations.

The expression of sodium channel α-subunit isoforms in astrocytes cultured from P-0 rat spinal cord and P-7 rat optic nerve was examined utilizing immunocytochemical methods with antibodies generated against conserved and isoform-specific amino acid sequences of the rat brain sodium channel. In spinal cord cultures at 5 days in vitro (DIV), both stellate and flat astrocytes were immunostained with antibody SP20, which recognizes a conserved sequence common to sodium channel types I, II/IIA, and III. Antibody SP11-I, which is directed against a subtype-specific sequence in sodium channel I, did not yield detectable staining in spinal cord astrocytes. Antibody SP11-II, which is directed against a subtype-specific sequence in sodium channel II, immunostained both stellate and flat spinal cord astrocytes, although with less intensity than SP20. Antibody SP32-III, which is directed against a subtype-sequence in sodium channel III, immunostained stellate but not flat spinal cord astrocytes. SP20, SP11-II, and SP32-III staining persisted in stellate spinal cord astrocytes through 14–21 DIV, while SP20 and SP11-II immunostaining in flat spinal cord astrocytes was attenuated with time in culture. In optic nerve cultures at 5 DIV, SP20 staining was present in both stellate and flat astrocytes, but at reduced levels compared to spinal cord astrocytes. With increased time in culture, SP20 staining was maintained in stellate optic nerve astrocytes but was gradually lost in flat optic nerve astrocytes. Stellate optic nerve astrocytes exhibited low levels of staining with SP11-I, SP11-II, and SP32-III. Flat optic nerve astrocytes lacked or displayed very low SP11-II staining, and SP11-I and SP32-III staining was not detectable. These observations demonstrate that cultured astrocytes are immunoreactive to antibodies generated against conserved and isotype-specific peptide sequences of rat brain sodium channels, and further suggest that there are different patterns of sodium channel expression between flat vs. stellate astrocytes and in astrocytes derived from different regions of the CNS. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Indirect stimulation of the prothoracic glands of Manduca sexta by juvenile hormone: Evidence for a fat body stimulatory factor

Juvenile hormone or ZR512 applied topically to day-5, fifth-instar, neck-ligated Manduca sexta larvae results in the acceleration of pharate pupal development when compared to neck-ligated, untreated larvae. This occurs as a result of an increase in the haemolymph ecdysteroid titre. Juvenile hormone, therefore, appears to stimulate ecdysone synthesis by the prothoracic glands of these animals, but not directly as shown by in vitro analysis. When ecdysone synthesis by the prothoracic glands of these ZR512- or juvenile hormone-treated animals was analyzed in vitro, increased gland activity was demonstrated but this did not occur until at least 2 days after treatment. This time lag in response supports the concept of an indirect stimulation of the prothoracic glands. Incubation of fat body from these ZR512- or juvenile hormone-treated, neck-ligated, larvae in 19AB culture medium revealed that the resulting pre-conditioned medium was capable of stimulating prothoracic glands in vitro up to 9-fold in a dose-dependent manner. A developmental profile was generated of the amount of this stimulatory factor released into the medium by fat body of untreated larvae representing each day of the last instar, and revealed that maximal release occurred with fat body from day-9 animals. The alterations in the amount of factor release by the fat body during larval-pupal development roughly correlated with the juvenile hormone titre and suggested a possible role for this factor in the regulation of the ecdysteroid titre. In contrast to the prothoracicotropic hormone, the fat body stimulatory factor is heat labile and has an apparent mol. wt in the 30,000 Dalton range. These data, particularly the kinetics of prothoracic gland stimulation, suggest that the factor may be a protein transporting a substrate for ecdysone biosynthesis to the prothoracic glands.
Periodic vortex pinning with magnetic and nonmagnetic dots: The influence of size

Periodic pinning arrays can give rise to commensurability effects for the vortex pinning in superconductors. We studied the influence of size and separation of the individual pinning centers made out of magnetic and nonmagnetic dots. While there is some dependence on the dot size, the periodic pinning changes its character drastically, as soon as the separation between dots becomes comparable to the coherence length of the superconductor. This can be understood by a crossover from a weak pinning regime to a superconducting wire network regime with decreasing dot separation. In addition, the comparison between the periodic pinning of magnetic dot arrays and nonmagnetic dot arrays shows that the former generally show more pronounced periodic pinning. This indicates conclusively a magnetic contribution to the pinning mechanism. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
A Radioimmunoassay for Norethindrone. II. Plasma Levels in Hypertensive and Nomotensive Oral Contraceptive Users

Abstract A sensitive radioimmunoassay for measurement of norethindrone (N) in blood plasma has been developed. The coefficient of variation within the assay and between assays was 7 and 13.5% respectively. The procedural blanks were negligible, and recovery was approximately 81.8%. Blood plasma levels of N in 20 normotensive and 6 hypertensive women who were ingesting oral contraceptives (OCs) were measured, and the results indicate that the subjects who became hypertensive while taking OCs had significantly higher levels of N compared with normotensive OC users (p < .001).
Selectivity estimation of range queries based on data density approximation via cosine series

Selectivity estimation is an integral part of query optimization. In this paper, we propose to approximate data density functions of relations by cosine series and use the approximations to estimate selectivities of range queries. We lay down the foundation for applying cosine series to range query size estimation and compare it with some notable approaches, such as the wavelets, DCT, kernel-spline, sketch, and Legendre polynomials. Experimental results have shown that our approach is simple to construct, easy to update, and fast to estimate. It also yields accurate estimates, especially in multi-dimensional cases.
Utilization of plant proteins in fish diets: effects of global demand and supplies of fishmeal

Aquafeed ingredients are global commodities used in livestock, poultry and companion animal feeds. Cost and availability are ditated less by demand from the aquafeed sector than by demand from other animal feed sectors and global production of grains and oilseeds. The exceptions are fishmeal and fish oil; use patterns have shifted over the past two decades resulting in nearly exclusive use of these products in aquafeeds. Supplies of fishmeal and oil are finite, making it necessary for the aquafeed sector to seek alternative ingredients from plant sources whose global production is sufficient to supply the needs of aquafeeds for the foreseeable future. Significant progress has been made over the past decade in reducing levels of fishmeal in commercial feeds for farmed fish. Despite these advances, the quantity of fishmeal used by the aquafeed sector has increased as aquaculture production has expanded. Thus, further reduction in percentages of fishmeal in aquafeeds will be necessary. For some species of farmed fish, continued reduction in fishmeal and fish oil levels is likely; complete replacement of fishmeal has been achieved in research studies. However, complete replacement of fishmeal in feeds for marine species is more difficult and will require further research efforts to attain.
A SUDDEN SURPRISE OF THE SOUL: THE PASSION OF WONDER IN HOBBES AND DESCARTES

Philosophy begins in wonder, according to Plato and Aristotle. However, they did not expand a great deal on what precisely wonder is. Does this fact alone not raise curiosity in us as to why this passion is important? What is its role in our thinking except to end as soon as one begins conceptually delimiting its nature? The thinkers Thomas Hobbes and Rene Descartes both expanded upon earlier brief articulations of wonder in natural, supernatural and practical ways. By means of an historical and philosophical examination of these two early modern thinkers, this article hopes to begin to answer the question: 'What is wonder?'.
Cross-Validation with Gollob's Estimator: A Computational Simplification

A computational simplification suggested by Allen (1971) for an index of multiple regression cross-validation proffered by Drehmer and Morris (1981) was introduced and compared to the Drehmer-Morris algorithm. Results showed the Allen algorithm to be much faster. Thus unnecessary computational expense was avoided and analyses could be undertaken that would otherwise probably not be possible. A computer program to calculate the cross-validation index by Allen's algorithm is described.
RENORMALIZATION GROUP STUDY OF THE ANISOTROPIC AND ALTERNATING HEISENBERG ANTIFERROMAGNETS

A real space renormalization group method is applied to study the properties of the anisotropic and alternating Heisenberg antiferromagnets with spin 1/2, 1 and 3/2. To improve the accuracy of the numerical estimates larger spin cluster is used. The ground state energy and the energy gap are obtained. For the case of S = 1 at Heisenberg point, the ground state energy per site is E (0)/N = -1.4021 ± 0.0005 and the energy gap is 0.4097 ± 0.0005, in excellent agreement with a recent Monte Carlo calculation. For the cases of spin 1/2 and 3/2 the energy gap is absent. Therefore our results are shown to support Haldane's conjecture. We briefly discuss the properties of the novel phase.
Revisional bariatric surgery.

OVERVIEW With the increasing number of bariatric procedures being performed annually, it is expected that the incidence of revisions will increase. The overall incidence of surgical revision after a primary bariatric operation is 5% to 50%. The lowest rate of revision is associated with the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) procedure and is 5%. 1,2 The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) fails to produce adequate durable weight loss in 15% to 25%, with revision estimates of 10% to 20%. 3,4 The incidence of revision after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) is 25% to 54%. 5–7 The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (AGB) has the highest rate of revision at 40% to 50%, 8 although recent studies suggest that this rate is decreasing. 9–11 A distinction should be made between inadequate weight loss or weight regain and need for revision (ie, not all failures need to be revised). There are various indications for revising a primary bariatric operation. The most common indication is failure of the primary operation to provide adequate durable weight loss, which is generally defined as excess weight loss (EWL) of at least 50%. However, adequacy of weight loss must be judged in the context of the presence or absence of comorbid disease. Before considering whether a particular individual is a candidate for a revision of the primary operation, it is important to determine whether the operation failed the patient or whether the patient failed the operation; whether there is there an anatomic cause for the weight regain or the weight regain is primarily a result of behavioral discrepancies such as large portion sizes, high caloric foods, snacking between meals, and lack of exercise. It is imperative that these issues be determined before considering revisional surgery or there will be repeated failure of the operation to provide weight loss or to control weight regain. It should also be considered and accepted that, as with many other diseases, not everyone can be cured of their obesity; there is a group of nonresponders who are resistant to weight loss despite the surgeon’s best efforts. In the early days of bariatric surgery, it was questioned whether the risk associated with revision of bariatric procedures was worth the benefit. 12,13 There are now
Method for Designing and Optimizing Random-Search Libraries for Strain Improvement

Random searches have been the hallmark of directed evolution and have been extensively employed in the improvement of complex or poorly understood phenotypes such as tolerance to toxic compounds in the context of cellular engineering. While genome-wide mutagenesis followed by selection or screening has been a traditional means of phenotype improvement, the list of experimental methods for cellular engineering based on random searches is rapidly expanding. Adding to the confusion is the element of chance, which lengthens the process and most notably adds to the cost of phenotypic improvement programs. Here we present a method to systematize the effort of finding superior mutants by successively improving random libraries. The method, based on the quantification of phenotypic diversity, is then used to isolate more-robust strains.
Taxonomic partitioning of discrete-state phylogenies: relationships of the aphid subtribes Eulachnina and Schizolachnina (Homoptera: Aphididae: Lachninae).

The phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships of the aphid genus Schizolachnus Mordvilko 1909 have been problematic among the cinarine aphids since its description. This paper reviews and analyzes the taxonomic work on, and phylogenetic assessments of, this genus and the related subtribe Eulachnina, which is composed of Eulachnus del Guercio 1909, Pseudessigella Hille Ris Lambers 1966, and Essigella del Guercio 1909. The study uses 19 attributes to determine the maximally parsimonious phylogenetic network for these groups, using the Cinarina as an outgroup. An objective and operational criterion is developed to partition taxonomically the incremental evolutionary distance derived from the most parsimonious phyletic network. This partitioning allows reasonable and objective taxonomic groupings that differ significantly between themselves with respect to intragroup measures of heterogeneity, as determined by the number of unambiguous character-state changes occurring along phyletic pathway segments between nodes for the proposed groupings. With respect to this heterogeneity criterion, two subtribes, the Schizolachnina and Eulachnina, are best recognized among needle-feeding conifer aphids.
Infusion of insulin impairs human adipocyte glucose metabolism in vitro without decreasing adipocyte insulin receptor binding

To determine whether hyperinsulinaemia can cause insulin resistance in man and, if so, whether this occurs at a receptor or post-receptor site, nine normal volunteers were infused with insulin for 6 h at a rate (2 mU·kg-1·min-1) which resulted in steady-state plasma insulin concentrations of 140±13mU/l and four subjects were infused with saline (0.45%). Isolated adipocytes and monocytes were used as models for studying insulin binding, while adipocytes were also used to study insulin action in vitro. Adipocyte insulin binding did not decrease following infusion of insulin (4.6±0.5 versus 4.4±0.4% per 2×105 cells, before and after, respectively), whereas monocyte insulin binding did (7.2±0.6 versus 6.2±0.6% per 107 cells, p<0.05). Initial rates of adipocyte 3-0-methyl glucose transport were decreased in the absence of insulin (basal) and at submaximally effective (33.3pmol/l) but not at maximally effective insulin concentrations. At all insulin concentrations and in the absence of insulin, rates of glucose conversion to lipids were decreased more than 50% (p<0.05), whereas rates of glucose oxidation were unaffected. This decrease in the rates of conversion of glucose to lipids could not be accounted for by the decrease in rates of glucose transport. These results suggest that hyperinsulinaemia can cause insulin resistance in man and that, at least initially, this occurs at a post-receptor site. Furthermore, the discordant effect of hyperinsulinaemia on monocyte and adipocyte insulin binding indicates that monocyte insulin binding may not always reflect insulin binding in insulin-sensitive tissues.
The collaborative construction of "fact" on Wikipedia

For years Wikipedia has come to symbolize the potential of Web 2.0 for harnessing the power of mass collaboration and collective intelligence. As wikis continue to develop and move into streams of cultural, social, academic, and enterprise work activity, it is appropriate to consider how collective intelligence emerges from mass collaboration. Collective intelligence can take many forms - this paper examines one, the emergence of stable facts on Wikipedia. More specifically, this paper examines ways of participating that lead to the creation of facts. This research will show how we can be more effective consumers, producers, and managers of wiki information by understanding how collaboration shapes facts.
K+-proton partial-wave analysis to 3 GeV/c.

Our ${K}^{+}$-proton analysis is extended to 3 GeV/c. Both energy-dependent and energy-band solutions are reported. The ${P}_{13}$ resonance is still strongly present, and we find evidence of resonances in the ${D}_{15}$ and ${P}_{11}$ states. We describe our scattering analyses interactive dial-in (SAID) computing system, which allows other investigators to access the current data base and solutions for nucleon-nucleon, \ensuremath{\pi}-proton, and ${K}^{+}$-proton scattering.
A probarley lectin processing enzyme purified from Arabidopsis thaliana seeds

An aspartic proteinase was purified from the seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana (ecotype RLD) using affinity chromatography on pepstatin-agarose and ion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme is optimally active at pH 3.5 and completely inhibited by pepstatin A. The purified Arabidopsis aspartic proteinase contains four subunits (apparent molecular weights 31, 28.5, 15 and 6 kDa), two of which are probably linked by disulfide bridges. These properties are similar to the aspartic proteinase previously isolated from barley seeds. The amino acid sequence of the peptide subunits corresponds exactly with the sequence of the previously isolated cDNA for the Arabidopsis aspartic proteinase. The Arabidopsis enzyme processed probarley lectin in vitro at the carboxy-terminus between phenylalanine and alanine, the same place where the barley enzyme cleaves the lectin in vitro. The aspartic proteinase appears to be the major enzyme processing the lectin in seeds as pepstatin A inhibited this activity in a crude seed extract.
The Diet of Western Burrowing Owls in an Urban Landscape

ABSTRACT. While we know much about the diet of Western Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) in many of their more natural habitats, little is known about their diets in urban environments. We analyzed pellets and prey remains collected at burrows used by Burrowing Owls living in urban grasslands in Santa Clara County, California. We hypothesized that the composition of prey species in the diet of these urban owls would differ from that of owls living in agricultural and more-natural western habitats and, in particular, that rodents would be a smaller component of the diet, We found the invertebrate-to-vertebrate ratio to be approximately 94:6 by number. Orthoptera, Dermaptera, and Coleoptera were the most abundant invertebrate orders, while rodents accounted for 70% of the estimated biomass per burrow of all orders. This overall composition and these taxa are typical for Burrowing Owls in western habitats. However, Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) was an important prey species by biomass, a...
Isolation and quantitation of Nτ-methylhistidine in actin and myosin of rat skeletal muscle: Use of pyridine elution of protein hydrolysates on ion-exchange resins

Abstract A combined procedure is described for isolation of purified actin and myosin from mixed skeletal muscles of the rat and an analytical method for isolation of a concentrated Nτ-methylhistidine fraction by ion-exchange chromatography of protein hydrolysates. Using these procedures, concentrations of Nτ-methylhistidine for actin and myosin of 0.8 and 0.9 mole per mole of protein were obtained, respectively. There was no significant age-related change in the Nτ-methylhistidine content of either actin or myosin in rats weighing from 94 to 324 g. No Nτ-methylhistidine could be detected in a mixed sarcoplasmic protein fraction.
A MEM Vibratory Gyro with Mode-matching Achieved by Resonator Mass Loading

This paper presents preliminary performance results for a vibratory rate gyro based on a novel MEM resonator whose design facilitates frequency mismatch reduction via mass loading. A model-based systematic tuning algorithm was implemented to reduce the n=2 modal frequency mismatch without impacting the quality factors. Mass loading the resonator eliminates the need for electrostatic tuning and only a single bias voltage to the resonator is required for operation as a rate sensor. Force-to-rebalance operation with a 10Hz bandwidth yielded a minimum rate bias instability of 0.11deg/hr and an estimated angle random walk of 0.02 deg/root-hr. A decrease in rate noise was also demonstrated as the sensor's cross-channel coupling was reduced by aligning the forcer/pick-off frame with the anti-nodes of the modes.
Service recovery evaluations: GLBT versus hetero customers

Abstract Although Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) customers have been acknowledged as a growing market segment in the hospitality and tourism industry, our understanding with regard to their perceptions of service encounters barely exists. During service encounters, outcome quality and process quality are generally understood as being the two main components of service evaluations. Yet, two competing theories (fairness heuristic and two-factor theories) suggest opposite patterns of interaction effects of the two qualities. This study examines the effects of outcome and process qualities on GLBT and heterosexual customers’ evaluation of service recovery in a hotel setting. Our findings, based on 374 respondents, suggest that the effects of process quality are more pronounced when outcome quality is favorable, thus supporting the two-factor theory. Also, GLBT customers’ overall recovery evaluation is more positive than heterosexual customers’. Implications of these findings for service managers are discussed.
Effect of plant water stress on regrowth of American sycamore seedlings injected with maleic hydrazide

Abstract Two-year-old containerized seedlings of American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) were injected with maleic hydrazide, MH (3.0 g/l) prior to or during various stages of plant moisture stress. The effect of MH and/or stress on regrowth was determined biweekly for 8 weeks by measuring height increase, sprout number and phytotoxicity. Plant water dificits below −25 bars reduced regrowth regardless of MH treatment. In the range −5 to −10 bars there appeared to be an additive effect of stress and MH. Thus, seedlings receiving both treatments showed considerably less regrowth than seedlings receiving either stress or MH alone.
Activation of TRPV1 channels inhibits mechanosensitive Piezo channel activity by depleting membrane phosphoinositides

Ion channels are essential to mediating the sensation of pain and pressure. The chemical in chilis that makes them hot is capsaicin, which activates the calcium-permeable channel TRPV1, and this chemical is also used as a topical analgesic. Borbiro et al . found that capsaicin activation of TRPV1 inhibited the mechanosensitive Piezo channels by depleting specific phosphoinositides in the plasma membrane. These results may explain some of the analgesic effects of this chemical.
Traumatic Brain Injury among Indiana State Prisoners

Research on traumatic brain injury among inmates has focused on comparing the rate of traumatic brain injury among offenders to the general population, but also how best to screen for traumatic brain injury among this population. This study administered the short version of the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Identification Method to all male inmates admitted into Indiana state prisons were screened for a month (N = 831). Results indicate that 35.7% of the inmates reported experiencing a traumatic brain injury during their lifetime and that these inmates were more likely to have a psychiatric disorder and a prior period of incarceration than those without. Logistic regression analysis finds that a traumatic brain injury predicts the likelihood of prior incarceration net of age, race, education, and psychiatric disorder. This study suggests that brief instruments can be successfully implemented into prison screenings to help divert inmates into needed treatment.
Studies of the EEG activity of limbic structures in man.

Abstract 1. 1. Studies have been made of the on-going EEG activity of amygdala, hippocampus and hippocampal gyrus as recorded by implanted electrodes together with surface recordings in twenty-eight cases of temporal lobe epilepsy and two non-epileptic patients. 2. 2. A computer program has been used to determine the frequencies present in these limbic structures and elsewhere and to explore whether their wave processes share any common features. 3. 3. Strong correlations in several frequency bands were usually found between the hippocampus, hippocampal gyrus and ipsilateral amygdala. No contralateral coherences were found. 4. 4. These correlations were disrupted in stages of sleep which show slow wave or low voltage fast activity at the scalp. The wave characteristics of the limbic structures differ fundamentally in sleep from those of the scalp recordings. 5. 5. There is a stage of sleep in which marked spindling occurs in the limbic system without any representation of it at the convexity. 6. 6. Two conditions in which correlation, not usually present, are found to develop are during electrical seizure discharge in the limbic structures and after a pre-narcotic dose of barbiturates.
Long-distance radical cation migration in duplex DNA: the effect of contiguous A.A and T.T mismatches on efficiency and mechanism.

A series of DNA oligomers was prepared. Each oligomer contained an anthraquinone group (AQ, sensitizer) covalently linked at a 5‘-end and two GG steps that surrounded a variable region. The variable region was composed of A·T base pairs or A·A or T·T mismatches. Irradiation of the AQ injected a radical cation (hole) into the DNA that migrated through the duplex, being trapped by reaction with H2O of O2 at the GG steps. The effect of substituting A·A or T·T mismatches for Watson−Crick base pairs was examined. For A·A mispairs, charge transfer through the mismatch region was as efficient as through normal DNA. For the T·T mismatches, radical cation transport was strongly distance-dependent. These findings suggest that A·A mismatches form a zipper-like motif, and charge transport proceeds by a hopping mechanism. In contrast, charge transport through the T·T mismatches (where there are no purines) may proceed by quantum mechanical tunneling.
Pulsed Power Hydrodynamics: An Application of Pulsed Power and High Magnetic Fields to the Exploration of Material Properties and Problems in Experimental Hydrodynamics

Pulsed Power Hydrodynamics (PPH) is an evolving application of low-impedance pulsed power technology to the study of problems in advanced hydrodynamics, instabilities, turbulence, and material properties in a highly precise, controllable environment at the currently achievable extremes of pressure and material velocity. The Atlas facility, designed and built by Los Alamos, is the world's first, and only, laboratory pulsed power system designed specifically for this relatively new family of pulsed power applications and joins an ensemble of low impedance, high current drivers, around the world, that contribute to advancing the field of Pulsed Power Hydrodynamics. The high-precision, cylindrically imploding liner is the tool most frequently used to convert electromagnetic energy into the hydrodynamic (particle kinetic) energy needed to drive strong shocks, quasi-isentropic compression, or large volume adiabatic compression for the experiments. At typical parameters, a 30-gr, 1-mm-thick liner with an initial radius of 5-cm, and a moderate current of 20 MA can be accelerated to 7.5 km/sec producing megabar shocks in medium density targets. Velocities up to 20 km/sec and pressures ≫20 Mbar in high density targets are possible. The first Atlas liner implosion experiments were conducted in Los Alamos in September 2001 and 16 experiments were conducted in the first year of operation before Atlas was disassembled, moved to the Nevada Test Site, and recommissioned. The experimental program resumed in July 2005.
Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus Uses Eph Family Receptors for Entry into B Cells and Endothelial Cells but Not Fibroblasts

Cellular Ephrin receptor tyrosine kinases (Ephrin receptors, Ephs) were found to interact efficiently with the gH/gL glycoprotein complex of the rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV). Since EphA2 was recently identified as a receptor for the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) (Hahn et al., Nature Medicine 2012), we analyzed RRV and KSHV in parallel with respect to Eph-binding and Eph-dependent entry. Ten of the 14 Eph proteins, including both A- and B-type, interacted with RRV gH/gL. Two RRV strains with markedly different gH/gL sequences exhibited similar but slightly different binding patterns to Ephs. gH/gL of KSHV displayed high affinity towards EphA2 but substantially weaker binding to only a few other Ephs of the A-type. Productive entry of RRV 26-95 into B cells and into endothelial cells was essentially completely dependent upon Ephs since expression of a GFP reporter cassette from recombinant virus could be blocked to greater than 95% by soluble Eph decoys using these cells. In contrast, entry of RRV into fibroblasts and epithelial cells was independent of Ephs by these same criteria. Even high concentrations and mixtures of soluble Eph decoys were not able to reduce by any appreciable extent the number of fibroblasts and epithelial cells productively entered by RRV. Thus, RRV is similar to its close relative KSHV in the use of Eph family receptors for productive entry into B cells and endothelial cells. However, RRV uses a separate, distinct, Eph-independent pathway for productive entry into fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Whether KSHV also uses an Eph-independent pathway in some circumstances or to some extent remains to be determined.
A novel transvaginal approach to correct recurrent apical prolapse after failed sacral colpopexy: case series

Introduction and hypothesis The objective of the study was to describe the transvaginal approach utilizing the existing sacral colpopexy (SC) graft for recurrent apical prolapse following failed SC.
The Possible Connection Between "Private Speech" and Prayer

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the psychological origins of prayer through a preliminary examination of certain aspects of social and cognitive development in early childhood. Specifically, it is the thesis of this essay that the phenomenon of “private speech” in early childhood can tell us something about prayer activity as it occurs in older persons. It is not the intention of this essay to present a detailed or complete theology of prayer from the perspective of pastoral theology or pastoral care. This essay is a prolegomena to the future study of the origins of prayer as social communication and personal regulation.
ATLANTIC SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURES AND NEW ENGLAND SNOWFALL

This paper examines the possibility of an association between winter (December-March) snowfall in New England and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Regional snowfall indices for southern and northern New England were obtained by rotated principal components analysis (PCA). Composite maps of winter Atlantic SSTAs and 700-mb geopotential height anomalies were generated for cases of above and below average winter snowfall totals for southern and northern New England, respectively. A monthly index of SSTAs around the coast of New England was obtained from rotated PCA of SSTAs in the western Atlantic Ocean and compared for high snow and low snow cases. In northern New England, no direct association between snowfall and SSTAs is indicated by either the composite maps or the monthly SSTA index - high or low snowfall totals can be attributed primarily to anomalies in the 700-mb circulation. In southern New England, high (low) snowfall totals are associated with negative (positive) SSTAs off the Atlantic coast, and these anomalies are often already evident in December, suggesting Atlantic sea surface temperatures may be of utility in long-range winter forecasts for coastal regions.
Regulation of myosin self-assembly: Phosphorylation of Dictyostelium heavy chain inhibits formation of thick filaments

Dictyostelium myosin is composed of two heavy chains and two pairs of light chains in a 1:1:1 stoichiometry. Myosin purified from amoebae grown in medium containing [32P]phosphate had two of the subunits labeled (0.2-0.3 mol of phosphate per mol of 210,000-dalton heavy chains and approximately 0.1 mol of phosphate per mol of 18,000-dalton light chain). Kinase activities specific for the 210,000-dalton and for the 18,000-dalton subunits have been identified in extracts of Dictyostelium amoebae, and the heavy chain kinase has been purified 50-fold. This kinase phosphorylated Dictyostelium myosin to a maximum of 0.5-1.0 mol of phosphate per mol of heavy chain. Heavy chain phosphate, but not light chain phosphate, can be removed with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. Actin-activated myosin ATPase increased 80% when phosphorylated myosin was dephosphorylated to a level of approximately 0.06 mol of phosphate per mol of heavy chain. This effect could be reversed by rephosphorylating the myosin. The ability of myosin to self-assemble into thick filaments was inhibited by heavy chain phosphorylation. For example, in 80-100 mM KCl, only 10-20% of the myosin was assembled into thick filaments when the heavy chains were fully phosphorylated. Removal of the heavy chain phosphate resulted in 70-90% thick filament formation. This effect on self-assembly could be reversed by rephosphorylating the dephosphorylated myosin. These findings suggest that heavy chain phosphorylation may regulate cell contractile events by altering the state of myosin assembly.
A note on human recognition of hand-printed characters

Nine human observers were given the task of identifying isolated hand-printed characters. Their individual accuracies ranged from 94.9% to 96.5%, and even their pooled best guess was right only 96.8% of the time. These figures can serve as standards for the accuracy of mechanical devices for letter-recognition.
Perspectives on Decisions of Researchers Who Examine the Efficacy of the Advanced Certification System of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Abstract Hundreds of millions of dollars in public and private funding have been spent to develop, research, and evaluate the assessment system of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). In an effort to determine if this has been money well spent, the U.S. Congress commissioned the National Research Council (NRC) to develop a framework that could be used to evaluate advanced-level certification of teachers. The framework (2008) was first applied in an evaluation of NBPTS. Drawing on the recommendations outlined in this framework, this article expands the discussion of the complex relationship between teachers’ NBC status and student outcomes by offering explanations of the contexts and logic for many of the research decisions that have been made.
Sp1- and Sp3-mediated transcriptional regulation of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 gene in chicken skeletal muscle cells

Expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene in skeletal muscle is positively regulated in proliferating myoblasts and declines during differentiation. We have characterized the cis-regulatory elements in the proximal region of the FGFR1 promoter which render positive transcriptional activity. Multiple elements between −69 and −14 activate the FGFR1 promoter. Myoblast transfections revealed that potential Sp transcription factor binding sites are required for promoter activity. Electromobility shift assays indicated that myoblast nuclear proteins specifically bind to these cis-elements and that differentiated myotube nuclear extracts do not form these same complexes. In addition, Southwestern blot analysis detected binding of the most proximal Sp motif to a Sp1-like protein present in myoblast nuclear extracts but not in myotubes. In corroboration, Sp1 and Sp3 proteins were detected only in myoblasts and not in differentiated myotubes. Finally, transfection of Drosophila SL2 cells showed that Sp1 is a positive regulator of FGFR1 promoter activity and that Sp3 is a coactivator via the proximal Sp binding sites. These studies demonstrate that the FGFR1 promoter is activated by Sp transcription factors in proliferating myoblasts and demonstrate at least part of the mechanism by which FGFR1 gene expression is down-regulated in differentiated muscle fibers.
Prolonged suppression of serum concentrations of melatonin in prepubertal heifers.

: Our objective was to suppress the daily surge of melatonin in serum of prepubertal dairy heifers by manipulating intensity of light (Experiment 1) and duration of exposure to light (Experiment 2). Heifers in Experiment 1 were exposed to either 12 hr of darkness (000 lux, control), or 400, 800, or 1,200 lux of light during the last 6 hr of their usual 12-hr nocturnal period. During this 6-hr exposure to various intensities of light, melatonin concentrations were similar to their respective daytime baseline values measured under 400 lux of light, but were 62% to 82% lower than melatonin concentrations during their nocturnal surge period. Suppression of melatonin concentrations was similar between 400 and 1,200 lux of light. In Experiment 2, heifers were exposed to LD 8:16, LD 16:8, LD 20:4, or LD 24:0 photoperiods (1,200 lux) for 4 months. Throughout treatment, concentrations and durations of the melatonin surge were suppressed in the LD 24:0 group and were greatest (during the nocturnal period) in the LD 8:16 group. Concentrations of prolactin in serum were elevated in animals under long days relative to LD 8:16 treatment and respective pretreatment periods. In conclusion, continuous light at an intensity of 1,200 lux suppressed the nocturnal surge of melatonin, but increased secretion of prolactin for at least 4 months in prepubertal heifers.
Treatment of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

Significant progress has been made in development and dissemination of evidence-based behavioral interventions for adolescents with substance use disorders (SUD). Medications have also shown promise in reducing substance use when used in conjunction with psychosocial treatment for adolescents with SUD, even in the context of co-occurring psychopathology. Although the efficacy or "probable efficacy" of the behavioral interventions discussed in this review have been established based on at least two randomized controlled trials, they produce relatively low abstinence rates and modest reductions in substance use that attenuate over time. Research has shown that abstinence rates may increase with the addition of abstinence-based incentives, however, post-treatment relapse rates remain high with few treated adolescents sustaining abstinence one year post-treatment. This may be due to the paucity of continuing care or post-treatment recovery support services and the lack of integrated or concurrent treatment for co-occurring psychiatric conditions that contribute to poorer treatment outcomes. Thus, despite significant progress, there is clearly room for improvement of existing treatment for adolescents with SUD. There is also critical need to increase the availability and access to substance and behavioral health treatment services for adolescents. Although 10-15% of U.S. high school students would currently meet diagnostic criteria for at least one SUD, only 10% of those who could benefit from substance treatment receive it. Five-year trends showing significant increases in the use of marijuana and nonmedical prescription drugs among U. S. high school students are evidence of the shortcomings of existing school-based interventions and poor access to community-based substance treatment for non-juvenile-justice involved youth. There is clearly a need to adapt or develop more effective prevention, early interventions, and treatment for youth who are "at risk" as well as the increasing number of adolescents who have progressed to more serious substance involvement.
Homodimerization of the p51 subunit of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

The dimerization of HIV reverse transcriptase (RT), required to obtain the active form of the enzyme, is influenced by mutations, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide substrates, Mg ions, temperature, and specifically designed dimerization inhibitors. In this study, we have utilized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the [methyl-13C]methionine-labeled enzyme and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate how several of these factors influence the dimerization behavior of the p51 subunit. The 1H−13C HSQC spectrum of p51 obtained at micromolar concentrations indicates that a significant fraction of the p51 adopts a “p66-like” conformation. SAXS data obtained for p51 samples were used to determine the fractions of monomer and dimer in the sample and to evaluate the conformation of the fingers/thumb subdomain. All of the p51 monomer observed was found to adopt the compact, “p51C” conformation observed for the p51 subunit in the RT heterodimer. The NMR and ...
Derivation of Le Chatelier's mixing rule for flammable limits

In 1891 Le Chatelier [6] first proposed an empirical mixing rule for predicting the flammable limit of lean fuel air mixtures -this method is still widely used today. This paper presents a proof to Le Chatelier's mixing rule based on thermodynamics. A number of assumptions are required to produce the proof. These assumptions are The product heat capacities are constant. The number of moles of gas is constant. The combustion kinetics of the pure species are independent and unchanged by the presence of other combustible species. The adiabatic temperature rise at the flammability limit is the same for all species. These assumptions we re found to be reasonably valid at the lower flammability limit and less so at the upper flammability limit. This paper also considers experimental data that support some of the assumptions made to arrive at the Le Chatelier mixing equation.
Caring—In an interpretive voice

Abstract What is implied by offering an interpretive account in social science, rather than a statistical one? This question is pursued in the context of Carol Gilligan's reflections on her own work, on In A Different Voice and the account of care and gender it presents. In particular, consideration is given to the relation of statistical findings to theoretical inferences, and the interpretive problems faced in criticizing “patriarchal” views of moral development, such as Kohlberg's stage theory.
The Resurgence of Acute Rheumatic Fever in the United States

The incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) had been declining in the United States for decades, and by the late 1970s ARF had become a rare disease in most areas of the country. The mid-1980s saw a resurgence of ARF, with reported outbreaks in Utah, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and military recruit camps in Missouri and California , as well as sporadic cases in many other communities. This review summarizes salient epidemiologic data related to the resurgence, explores some possible explanations for its occur­ rence, and discusses strategies for prevention of rheumatic fever now and in the future.
Some general results for moments in bivariate distributions

The purpose of this paper is to present a closed formula to compute the moments of a general function from the knowledge of its bivariate survival function. The result is derived by utilizing an integration by parts formula for two variables, which is not readily available in the literature. Many of the existing results are obtained as special cases. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the results. In both the examples, mixed moments as well as moments for the series system and parallel system are obtained. The integration by parts formula in two variables, derived here, is of interest in its own right and we hope that it will be useful in other investigations. The integration by parts formula in two variables is derived as a special case of a general formula in n variables.