cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcription attenuation is the major mechanism by which the leu operon of Salmonella typhimurium is controlled.

Abstract Three mutations, each causing constitutive expression of the Salmonella typhimurium leu operon, were cloned into phage vector λgt4 on EcoRI DNA fragments carrying all of that operon except for part of the promoter-distal last gene. Sequence analysis of DNA from these phage demonstrated that each contains a single base change in the leu attenuator. Transcription of mutant DNA in vitro resulted in transcription beyond the usual site of termination. The level of β-IPM dehydrogenase, the leuB enzyme, was elevated 40-fold in a strain carrying one of these mutations, and starvation of this strain for leucine had little effect on the amount of activity expressed. Using a strain with a wild-type promoter-leader region of the leu operon, the rates of synthesis and degradation of leu leader RNA and readthrough RNA (leu mRNA) were measured by DNA-RNA hybridizations with specific DNA probes. The rate of synthesis of the leu leader was about the same in cells grown with excess or with limiting leucine. On the other hand, the rate of synthesis of leu mRNA was 12-fold higher for cells grown in limiting leucine as opposed to excess leucine. The rate of degradation of these RNA species was the same under both conditions of growth. Thus, the variation in expression of the leu operon observed for cells grown in minimal medium is, for the most part, not caused by control over the frequency of initiation or by the differential stability of these RNA species. Rather, the variation is a direct result of the frequency of transcription termination at an attenuator site. These results taken together suggest that transcription attenuation is the major mechanism by which leucine regulates expression of the leu operon of S. typhimurium for cells growing in a minimal medium.
Stimulation of GABA release from retinal horizontal cells by potassium and acidic amino acid agonists

Abstract The release of [3H]GABA from horizontal cells of goldfish retina was studied by biochemical analysis of perfused isolated retina. Retinas were incubated for 15 min in 0.72 μM[3H]GABA, rinsed for 30 min and then perfused with 1 min pulses of increasing concentrations of K+ and acidic amino acid agonists under a variety of conditions. Radioactivity in the perfusate was determined by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. The main findings are: (1) virtually all of the [3H]GABA released by l -glutamate ( l -Glu) and l -aspartate ( l -Asp) and 50% of the K+-evoked release, is calcium independent; (2) K+-evoked [3H]GABA release is only 10% of that released by l -Glu; (3) threshold [3H]GABA release occurs with 320 μM l -Glu, 1175 μM l -Asp, 4μM quisqualic acid (QA), 4μM kainic acid (KA) and 53 μM N-methyl- dl -aspartate (NMDLA); (4) the quisqualate antagonist glutamic acid diethyl ester (GDEE), has no specific inhibitory action on any of the agonists, whereas d -α-aminoadipic acid (DαAA), an NMDA antagonist, potently inhibits the action of NMDLA and l -Asp; (5) the presence of Mg2+, even at 1 mM, totally inhibits NMDLA and also inhibits the action of l -Glu and l -Asp below 1 mM; (6) d -Asp potentiates the action of l -Glu by 0.6–0.8 log units and completely inhibits the action of l -Asp; (7) l -Asp at a ratio of 3:1 potentiates the effect of l -Glu. From these and other results one concludes that: (a) [3H]GABA release from H1 cells is calcium independent and depends on factors other than passive depolarization, probably sodium; (2) the likely transmitter of red cones is l -Glu acting on quisqualate or kainate receptors, and (3) l -Asp acts predominantly on NMDA receptors and may provide a modulatory role in the outer retina by potentiating the action of l -Glu.
On index priority sequencing rules for scheduling with time-dependent job processing times

Abstract We consider single-machine scheduling problems with time-dependent processing times given by a general multiplicative functional form. We conclude that the linear function is the only function leading to an index priority rule to minimize the makespan. We also consider the case in which the base job processing times are neglected and conclude that the power functions and a logarithmic function are the only completion time functions that can be minimized by an index priority rule.
Escherichia coli coenzyme A-transferase: kinetics, catalytic pathway and structure.

Abstract The inducible acetyl-CoA:acetoacetate CoA-transferase of Escherichia coli catalyzes the transfer of CoA from acetyl-CoA to acetoacetate by a mechanism involving a covalent enzyme-CoA compound as a reaction intermediate. Acetyl-CoA + enzyme ⇌ enzyme-CoA + Acetate Enzyme-CoA + acetoacetate ⇌ acetoacetyl-CoA + enzyme These conclusions are based on the following data: 1) In the absence of acetoacetate, the maximal velocity of exchange of [ 14 C]acetate into acetyl-CoA was comparable with maximal velocity of the complete reaction. 2) Incubation of the enzyme with NaBH 4 after preincubation with an acyl-CoA substrate inactivated the enzyme by reduction of a glutamate residue in the β subunit of the CoA-transferase to α-amino-δ-hydroxyvaleric acid. Given the susceptibility of thioesters to borohydride reduction, the enzyme-CoA bond is a γ-glutamyl thiolester 3) Following incubation of the enzyme with a fluorescent derivative of acetyl-CoA, 1, N 6 -ethenoacetyl-CoA, etheno-CoA was bound to the CoA-transferase. Free etheno-CoA did not bind to the enzyme.
Crack model for toughness of green parts with moisture or a fluid binder

A model is presented to predict the toughness, KIC, of green ceramics based on the binding forces of meniscuses formed between particles near the tip of the critical flaw. The model considers capillary pressure, surface tension, and the viscous flow of binders. Calculated toughness values were determined for moisture only, but the model can also be applied to binder meniscuses. Capillary pressure is highest at low moisture content. By using well-established force–distance relationships for the meniscus between single particles, toughness was determined as a function of moisture content. For nonagglomerated particles, KIC increases with moisture content and decreases with contact angle. The particle-size dependence, predicted at a constant humidity is approximately the same as the Kendall model and experimental results found in the literature. If particles are agglomerated and the meniscus is between agglomerates, the toughness peaks at low moisture content. This model assumes that the capillary pressure is transmitted through the agglomerate. The calculated values of KIC are approximately in agreement with the magnitude of the measured toughness values of binderless green parts having two different specific surface areas.
CyberCut: an internet-based CAD/CAM system

“CyberCut TM ” is a testbed for an Internet-based CAD/CAM system. It was specifically designed to be a networked, automated system, with a seamless communication flow from a client-side designer to a server-side machining service. The creation of CyberCut required several new software modules. These include: a) a Web-based design tool in which Design-forManufacturing information and machining rules constrain the designer to manufacturable parts; b) a geometric representation called SIF-DSG, for unambiguous communication between the client-side designer and the server-side process planner; c) an automated process planning system with several sub-modules that convert an incoming design to a set of tool-paths for execution on a 3-axis CNC milling machine. Using this software-pipeline, a CyberCut service, modeled on the MOSIS service for VLSI chips, has been now been launched for limited studentuse at a group of cooperating universities.
HORMONES AND CHOLESTEROL ESTER METABOLISM

A study was made of the effects of testosterone, estradiol, ACTH, insulin, epinephrine and l-thyroxine on a microsomal preparation of female rat liver esterifying enzyme and cholesterol plus palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. In the doses used, these hormones modified the rate of ester synthesis. Further experiments showed that low doses of androgen or estrogen had a stimulating effect whereas high doses had an inhibitory effect. On the basis of our findings and a review of the literature, it is concluded that the concentration of cholesterol or its esters in the plasma at any given time is determined by the net rate: 1) of absorption, 2) synthesis, 3) transport and lipoprotein binding, and 4) fecal excretion and partial re-absorption following oxidative degradation of cholesterol to bile acids. The turnover rate of free cholesterol is far more rapid than that of the ester. Also, the degree of unsaturation of the ester influences the rate of turnover. Mono-unsaturated esters have the highest turnover rate. Lipoprotein binding in the very-low-density fraction is dependent upon diet; the more dense lipoproteins (> 1.061–1.21) are thought to be partially under genetic control. Hormones act at three levels: 1) biosynthesis, 2) compartmentalization and transport (binding), and 3) excretion. The first two mechanisms may be involved with androgens, estrogens and insulin. The atherosclerotic process involves many physicochemical factors. Diet and hormones modify the ester fraction. They also change the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol from acetate or mevalonate. Apparently the composition of the ester plays an important role in the deposition of cholesterol and its esters in sites of predilection.
Partial Discharge Signal Obtain Based on Adaptive Wavelet with Mathematical Morphology

Abstract A new method to denoise partial discharge signal is presented in this paper. It is based on the adaptive wavelet transform combining with mathematical morphology method to eliminate the noise of partial discharge, and use self-adaptive method to select the threshold coefficient. Wavelet transform threshold and wavelet transform modular maximum have compared with this method. The testing results prove that this method can efficiently eliminate the noise existing in partial discharge signal and the characteristics of the original signal can be well retained.
Pb2 Exchange Isotherms for Zeolite Na-X at pH 5, 6, and 7

Abstract Aqueous Pb 2+ exchange into zeolite X powder with unit-cell composition Na 79 Si 113 Al 79 O 384 has been studied at 25°C at pH 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0. The isotherms show that overexchange takes place at all pHs studied and that it increases with increasing pH. There is no plateau at full stoichiometric Pb 2+ exchange at any pH. Pb 2+ and OH − seem to enter the zeolite together to replace Na + .
Relativistic motion in gamma-ray bursts

Three fundamental problems affect models of gamma-ray bursts, i.e., the energy source, the ability of high-energy photons to escape the radiation region, and the comparative weakness of X-ray emission. It is indicated that relativistic bulk motion of the gamma-ray-emitting plasma generically provides a solution to all three of these problems. Results show that, if the plasma that produces gamma-ray bursts has a bulk relativistic velocity with Lorentz factor gamma of about 10, several of the most troubling problems having to do with gamma-ray bursts are solved.
Computer based testing: the ball state experience

During the summer of 1999, Ball State University renovated space to construct a 24 station computer-based testing room for a pilot study with four faculty members. The idea for the testing lab came from faculty who instruct large classes. Based upon feedback from faculty and students, this project is a great success. CBT became available to all faculty fall 2000. In this presentation, we will focus on the following issues: Initial idea and buy-in by administrators. Finding the resources to create a new lab; The policies and procedures that govern the testing lab; Lab set up and staffing issues. We will share how the workstations were set up (technical details) in an attempt to curtail cheating. We will also touch on student lab assistant roles and the supervision of such a high profile facility; The home grown reservation and reporting program: This web based tool allows students to reserve a station for their test and produces utilization reports for management purposes; Advantages and challenges of the computer based testing environment. Audience; Lab coordinators/managers, any one involved in academic computing issues, or departmental computing would be a target audience for this presentation. In addition computing center directors or academic computing directors might be interested in how this project built a very positive bridge between our Computing Services and the academic departments (for once we made them happy.
Stacking faults and crystallite size in mechanically alloyed Cu-Co

Abstract Mechanically alloyed CuCo (5–90 wt.% Co) has been analyzed using X-ray diffractometry to study microstructural features. All compositions were single phase face-centered cubic. Although some of the observed peak broadening can be attributed to fine grain size and microstrain effects, anomalous hkl-dependent peak broadening and peak shifts are clearly associated with stacking faults. Furthermore, the true grain sizes were > 100 nm, 3–10 times the grain size calculated without considering stacking fault contributions.
How big is big? How often is often? Characterizing Texas petroleum refining upset air emissions

This work examines the magnitude and frequency of Texas petroleum refineries upset air emissions over a 44-month period. Upset emissions occur during plant start-ups, shut-downs, maintenance, malfunctions and flaring incidents, and these emissions are typically exempt from regulation. These emissions contain a variety of chemicals, including benzene, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and butadiene. Unlike other states, Texas has detailed reporting requirements, regulations in place, and an extensive upset emissions database. A key scientific and public policy question is whether upset emissions have significant impacts on local air quality and public health. However, it is not possible to address this question without first understanding the magnitude and properties of upsets. We merge related databases to examine over 3,900 upset emission events and find that upset emissions are significant in both size and occurrence when compared to routine operation emissions. It is determined that these events are not random, being more likely to occur during the summer, in the morning, and early in the workweek. A regional analysis of Port Arthur suggests that upset emissions from co-located refineries are equivalent to having an additional refinery within the region. Because of uncertainties within the reporting process and an obvious underestimation by some refineries, there is a need for better tracking of upset emissions.
A note on trace-to-trace correlation in visual displays: elementary pattern recognition

In intensity-modulated visual displays used for the detection of pulse signals in noise, e.g., the P.P.I., the B-scan cathode-ray display, or the chemical recorder display, a normal requirement is to recognize the signal not only by its amplitude but also by the fact that it extends across two or more scans or traces. This means, in effect, that detection is partly a matter of recognizing the correlation of signal pulse from one trace to the next. In this note, subjective measurements of the effect of this correlation on the threshold signal/noise ratio are given and discussed. It is shown that over the range of input signal/noise ratio from ?10 to 0 db, the reduction of threshold is about 2.2 db per doubling of the number of traces, as compared with the 1.5 db theoretically obtained from "integration" of successive traces.
Influence of gravity wave activity on lower thermospheric photochemistry and composition

The wind and temperature oscillations of internal gravity waves can cause horizontal variations of a factor of two in minor gas number densities in the lower thermosphere over length scales of several hundred kilometers. The variations are due both to vertical transport of constituents whose lifetimes are long compared to the wave period and to chemical activity driven by temperature dependent reaction rate coefficients. The nightglow emission of the hydroxyl radical provides a remote sensor of wave activity between 80 and 90 km. Theoretical calculations show that the horizontal variations in the atomic hydrogen distribution are the largest single contributor to wave structure in the nightglow followed by the effects of temperature fluctuations on the rate coefficient of the reaction H + O3 yields O2 + OH (nu prime is greater than 0).
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in mammalian neural and nonneural tissues

4-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter of mammalian central nervous system, is found in a wide range of organisms, from prokaryotes to vertebrates. GABA is widely distributed in nonneural tissue including peripheral nervous and endocrine systems. GABA acts on GABAA and GABAB receptors. GABAA receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels modulated by a variety of drugs. GABAB receptors are essentially presynaptic, usually coupled to potassium or calcium channels, and they function via a GTP binding protein. In neural and nonneural tissues, GABA is metabolized by three enzymes--glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), which produces GABA from glutamic acid, and the catabolic enzymes GABA-transaminase (GABA-T) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH). Production of succinic acid by SSADH allows entry of the GABA carbon skeleton into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Alternate sources of GABA include putrescine, spermine, spermidine and ornithine, which produce GABA via deamination and decarboxylation reactions, while L-glutamine is an additional source of glutamic acid via deamination. GAD from mammalian brain occurs in two molecular forms, GAD65 and GAD67 (referring to subunit relative molecular weight (Mr) in kilodaltons). These different forms of GAD are the product of different genes, differing in nucleotide sequence, immunoreactivity and subcellular localization. The presence and characteristics of GAD have been investigated in a wide variety of nonneural tissues including liver, kidney, pancreas, testis, ova, oviduct, adrenal, sympathetic ganglia, gastrointestinal tract and circulating erythrocytes. In some tissues, one form (GAD65 or GAD67) predominates. GABA-T has been located in most of the same tissues, primarily through histochemical and/or immunochemical methods; GABA-T is also present in a variety of circulating cells, including platelets and lymphocytes. SSADH, the final enzyme GABA catabolism, has been detected in some of the tissues in which GAD and GABA-T have been identified, although the presence of this enzyme has not been in mammalian pancreas, ova, oviduct, testis or sympathetic ganglia.
A 25 dBm outphasing power amplifier with novel non-isolated combining network

This paper presents a 25 dBm outphasing power amplifier designed in a standard 45 nm CMOS process. Instead of using bulky quarter-wave transmission lines or transformers as non-isolated combiners, we propose a new combiner based on lump elements. The elements of the combiner act differently for in-phase and out-of-phase components, which allows additional resonant networks to be formed for improved backoff efficiency. The proposed PA design achieves 55% peak power added efficiency (PAE) at 900 MHz and 45% at 2.4 GHz. For an OFDM signal with 6 dB PAR, the PAE is 32% at 900 MHz and 22% at 2.4 GHz. The linearity of the PA meets WiFi spec without digital predistortion (DPD). With DPD, the linearity of the PA can be improved further to reach -53 dBc, -50 dBc, -42 dBc ACPR for 10 MHz, 20 MHz, and 2-carrier 20 MHz LTE signals.
Functional analysis of aberrant behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement: assessments of specific sensory reinforcers ☆

The purpose of this study was to develop a systematic functional assessment package for aberrant behaviors maintained by nonsocial (automatic) reinforcement. The assessment package included four components: (1) functional analysis, (2) antecedent assessment of specific automatic reinforcement sources, (3) stimulus preference assessment, and (4) treatment evaluation. Functional analysis data indicated automatic reinforcement functions of the stereotypy exhibited by a 10-year-old male and the self-injury (SIB) exhibited by a 30-year-old male. Antecedent assessments of sensory classes indicated that auditory stimulation and tactile stimulation were associated with stereotypy and SIB, respectively. A multiple-stimulus-without-replacement procedure was conducted with each participant to identify the most- and least-preferred stimuli within the identified sensory classes. In an attempt to validate the assessment package for each participant, a DRO procedure was implemented using a reversal design with a multielement component. DRO procedures using stimuli within the targeted sensory classes were successful in eliminating the aberrant behaviors of both participants. The results are discussed in the context of improving the methodology for assessing and treating automatically reinforced behaviors.
Jet noise suppression by swirling the jet flow.

The effect of swirling flow on jet noise suppression was experimentally investigated in a relatively small, low-thrust, fan-jet engine. Measurements of acoustic properties of the near and far fields, jet-flow characteristics, and engine thrust were made with and without stationary swirl vanes installed in the primary exhaust nozzle. Preliminary test results indicate that substantial reductions in jet overall sound pressure levels and overall acoustic power were obtained with minimal thrust losses. Based on preliminary analysis, present results, and previous experiments with swirling hot jets, it is predicted that even greater jet noise reductions can be obtained in higher thrust engines, particularly with afterburning, by swirling jet exhaust.
Losses Sustained in Preparing Poultry for the Table

Abstract The average house wife is fairly well informed on the cuts of pork, beef, and mutton. She knows how much is utilizable and non-utilizable of these meats. Poultry is served less frequently, appearing in many cases only when a special meal is desired. To some people all poultry is expensive to serve. If we knew more about poultry it very probably would be used often and the house wife would know how she could include chicken in her menus without increasing the cost of the meal. There arc several reasons why some people consider poultry expensive; first, they insist upon comparing it with the lower quality or cuts of meat they use on the table daily; second, they have not learned that some classes of market poultry are much more expensive than others and the third reason is that when they do have a chicken they want a heavy meal, . . .
Biosolids and Dairy Manure as Nitrogen Sources for Prairiegrass on a Poorly Drained Soil

Accurate prediction of plant-available N release from municipal and agricultural byproducts is needed to optimize crop yields and minimize nitrate leached to groundwater. We conducted a 4-yr study to determine plant-available N release from two byproducts: dewatered biosolids (stabilized solids from municipal wastewater treatment) and dairy manure. The Buckley loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic Typic Humaquepts) at our study site had a perched water table 0 to 24 in. below the surface from mid-November through mid-May. Biosolids and manure were surface-applied to established prairiegrass [Bromus unioloides (Willd.) H.B.K. cv. Grasslands Matua; syn. B. willildnowii Kunth] for 2 yr (1991-1992). Plant-available N released from biosolids or manure was measured for two additional years (1993-1994) after we terminated application. Cumulative apparent N recovered by grass harvest for 1991, 1992, and 1993 was 77, 74, and 65% for urea; 27, 29, and 38% for biosolids; and 17, 28, and 36% for manure. Biosolids or manure applied in 1991-1992 increased soil nitrate recovered after a summer of chemical fallow in 1994. The additional nitrate recovered in 1994 represented approximately 6% of the biosolids or manure N applied in 1991-1992. Our study demonstrated increased soil N mineralization rates following 2 yr of biosolids or manure application. Farm management plans for biosolids and manure use must account for the residual effects of previous applications.
When is it the right time to ask for a geriatrician

Given an aging population coupled with a shortage of people to care for them, it is essential to understand the patient qualities for which geriatric expertise would be most beneficial. For the practicing physician attempting to understand the timing of geriatric-care provision, this article reviews the relevant literature, which suggests geriatric expertise should be considered for the patients who benefit most: any patient aged ≥ 85 years, or adults aged < 85 years with complex multimorbidity, frailty, or other geriatric conditions; disability or dementia; or need for palliative or end-of-life care.
The effect of temporal accuracy constraints on movement-related potentials

Both self-paced movements (internally generated) and movements paced by a fixed interval cue (externally cued) are preceded by a slow-rising movement-related potential (MRP) of similar timing, magnitude and topography. When the timing of the external cue is variable (temporally unpredictable), this MRP is absent. These findings have been interpreted to suggest that MRPs reflect neural activity mediating the preparation of temporally predictive movements, irrespective of whether the movement is internally generated or externally cued. However, the apparent similarity between MRPs preceding self-paced and predictably cued movements might be explained by the absence of control for the timing of movement onset, that is, MRPs preceding regularly-paced cues may simply reflect activity associated with self-paced movements initiated at times that more or less coincide with the timing of the imperative cue. The objective of this study was to reexamine the comparison of MRPs preceding temporally predictive (self-paced and predictably cued) versus reactive movements. To circumvent the potential confound of movement onset timing, constraints were placed on the temporal accuracy of movements cued by a regularly-paced tone. This design permitted post-hoc classification of trials into predictive or reactive movements to the tone. Three movement initiation conditions were tested: (1) self-paced (SP), (2) in response to an irregularly-paced cue (IC), and (3) in response to a regularly-paced cue (RC). In the latter condition, subjects were trained to initiate movement to within less than one simple reaction time in at least 50% of trials, and MRPs were compared between movements that were initiated “too early” (predictive), “too late” (reactive), or were temporally accurate (predictive). Cerebral potentials were recorded from 87 scalp surface electrodes. Consistent with previous studies, an early slow-rising MRP with maximum negativity over the midline frontal cortex was present only when the timing of movement onset could be predicted in advance (SP and RC conditions). Moreover, MRPs for movements that were temporally accurate or were initiated “too early” were significantly larger than the MRPs that preceded SP movements (P SP > IC) were significantly greater over the midline frontal cortex than the contralateral or ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex (P < 0.038). These findings show that the imposition of accuracy constraints on the timing of movement onset markedly enhances preparatory activity in the cortical or subcortical networks that mediate the predictive initiation of movement.
The impact of measurement errors on ARMA prediction

Measurement errors can have dramatic impact on the outcome of empirical analysis. In this article we quantify the eects that they can have on predictions generated from ARMA processes. Lower and upper bounds are derived for dierences in minimum mean squared prediction errors (MMSE) for forecasts generated from data with and without errors. The impact that measurement errors have on MMSE and other relative measures of forecast accuracy are presented for a variety of model structures and parameterizations. Based on these results the need to set up the models in state space form to extract the signal component appears to depend upon whether processes are nearly non-invertible or non-stationary or whether the noise-to-signal ratio is very high. Copyright # 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of Human Internal Mammary and Radial Artery Contraction by Extracellular and Intracellular Calcium Channels and Cyclic Adenosine 3′, 5′ Monophosphate

Background The internal mammary (IMA) and radial arteries (RA), which are routinely used in coronary artery bypass grafting, show a significant incidence of postoperative vasospasm. The present study evaluated the respective roles of calcium (Ca 2+ )–dependent and cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′ monophosphate–dependent (cAMP) signaling in mediating contraction and relaxation of the IMA and RA. Methods We examined the contractile responses of the IMA and RA to potassium chloride, a depolarizing agent; phenylephrine, an α-adrenergic agonist; and U46619, a thromboxane analogue, in the absence and presence (0.045 to 1.500 mM) of extracellular Ca 2+ . Results Potassium chloride elicited little or no contraction in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+ . Contractions elicited by U46619 were similar in the IMA and RA, both in the absence and presence of extracellular Ca 2+ . By contrast, phenylephrine elicited significantly greater extracellular Ca 2+ -dependent contraction of the IMA than the RA. Estimation of cyclic guanosine 3′, 5′ monophosphate (cGMP) and cAMP revealed levels of cAMP to be about fourfold higher than cGMP in both the RA and IMA. Whereas forskolin and milrinone elicited similar relaxation of IMA and RA precontracted with either U46619 or phenylephrine and increased adenylate cyclase-catalyzed cAMP production, isoproterenol-induced relaxation of the arteries precontracted with U46619 was significantly impaired compared with arteries precontracted with phenylephrine. Conclusions Our findings suggest that thromboxane A 2 receptor–dependent pathways activate contraction of IMA and RA through both extracellular Ca 2+ -dependent and Ca 2+ -independent pathways. In addition, adenylate cyclase appears to play a key role in attenuating thromboxane A 2 and α-adrenergic receptor-mediated contraction through both pathways.
ERRORS IN THE USE OF MASS ANALYZERS IN PLASMA PHYSICS

Errors of charged-particle analyzer resulting from expansion of plasma beam within and without analyzer
Three Faces of the State and the Nonprofit Sector

Recent changes in the U.S. nonprofit sector reflect the influence of market-based public policies and values. In this article, the authors suggest a framework to assess the effects of these policies and values on nonprofit sector characteristics. They propose three models of the state along with three corresponding models of the nonprofit sector. Using recent implementation of market-based policies in two policy domains, foster care and job training, they find that the market-based policies have significantly altered nonprofit behavior and structure. They conclude with suggestions for research using their models of the state and the nonprofit sector.
Proximate determinants of fertility in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: an anthropological case study

The analytical model of Bongaarts and Potter is employed to compare the proximate determinants of fertility among 3 populations in Nepals Kathmandu valley. 3 sub-groups are studied: high caste (Brahmin and Chetri) urban residents high caste urban fringe residents and low caste untouchables (Sarki). Both survey and anthropological methods are employed. According to the analytical model the transition in fertility follows 4 phases. The changes in fertility levels from Phase 1 to Phase 4 generally indicate that the transition from natural to controlled fertility is characterized by declines in the proportions of women married and the duration of postpartum infecundability and a substantial increase in the prevalence and effectiveness of contraceptive practices. The results of this study show that Nepal as a whole is entrenched in Phase 1 of the fertility transition. However data from the 3 populations reported here clearly indicate that each has begun to experience a demographic transition to different degrees. The Sarkis in this study fall between Phases 2 and 3 as indicated by the total fertility rate (TFR). The rural high castes most closely approximate a population in Phase 3 while urban high castes included in this study are approaching Phase 4. Each of the 3 populations is characterized by a decline in the proportion of women married when compared to all of Nepal. It is also apparent that the relative use-effectiveness of contraceptive methods currently employed is high. Gains in the reduction of fertility then will have to be made from increasing and retaining the number of acceptors and in reducing the desired family size of those at reproductive risk.
Connecting Literacy and Science to Increase Achievement for English Language Learners

Giving students a purpose and a passion for sharing their thinking through authentic learning experiences and giving them tools for writing through which they can risk new vocabulary, new language, and new thought is critical for the linguistic and cognitive development of students. Furthermore, students develop a deep understanding of content they have heard and read when given time to process information through writing and speaking. This article describes one teacher’s quest to identify and implement effective research-based instructional strategies that she could use to successfully support her kindergarten ELL students during science instruction.
Inorganic chemistry: Movies of a growth mechanism

A microscopy technique has been used to study the formation and growth of crystals of porous solids known as metal–organic frameworks in real time. The findings will aid the design of methods for making these useful compounds.
Evaluating the Field Test Revision Process by Comparing Two Versions of a Reasoning Skills CAI Program

The study evaluated the role of instructional design in the field test and revision process for computer assisted instruction (CAI) in drawing conclusions and critiquing syllogistic arguments. Secondary resource room students were randomly assigned to either the original CAI program or the revised program. Measures included posttest scores, time to completion, and error rates. Scores significantly favored students in the revision group who made fewer errors per lesson, took less time to complete the lessons, and had higher posttest scores on the criterion-referenced test. Instructional design principles that guided the revision process are discussed.
Sum-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopic Study of a Rubbed Polymer Surface

Sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy has been used to probe the chain orientation of polyvinyl alcohol at the surface after rubbing. The distribution function of the chain orientation is determined quantitatively. The orientational order parameter of the chains deduced from the distribution matches well with that of a liquid crystal monolayer deposited on the polymer, proving that the polymer surface can align a liquid crystal film through orientational epitaxy.
Dietary shifts in the crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella) after large‐scale river fragmentation

– The crystal darter, Crystallaria asprella (Jordan), is a benthic, riverine specialist, rare throughout its range and critically imperiled in the state of Mississippi. Construction of the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway has fragmented a once continuous population of this species into several subpopulations in remaining, free-flowing tributaries of the system. In spite of this fragmentation and population subdivision, we collected numerous individuals from the waterway during summer 2004 and 2005. Because of the lentic conditions in the waterway, we questioned whether a dietary shift accompanied darters occupying this new environment. We also obtained museum specimens from the Tombigbee River before waterway construction and quantified and compared diets among the historical, tributary (contemporary) and waterway specimens. We hypothesised that waterway specimens would differ significantly in diet from both historical and tributary specimens, and that the latter two groups would have similar diets. Multiresponse permutation procedures indicated that all three groups were significantly different from each other and indicator species analysis identified significant indicator taxa for waterway and tributary specimens. Using a null model approach, dietary overlap was significantly greater than expected for tributary and waterway specimens, and significantly less than expected for waterway and historical specimens. Dietary plasticity was evident for crystal darters across space and time, but it remains unknown whether waterway individuals represent a population sink or are actively dispersing from nearby population sources.
Time-Dependent Contamination of Opened Sterile Operating-Room Trays

Background: There are no clear guidelines for how long a sterile operating-room tray can be exposed to the open environment before the contamination risk becomes unacceptable. The purpose of this study was to determine the time until first contamination and the rate of time-dependent contamination of sterile trays that had been opened in a controlled operating-room environment. We also examined the effect of operating-room traffic on the contamination rate. Methods: Forty-five sterile trays were opened in a positive-air-flow operating room. The trays were randomly assigned to three groups. All trays were opened with use of sterile technique and were exposed for four hours. Culture specimens were obtained immediately after opening and every thirty minutes thereafter during the study period. Group 1 consisted of fifteen trays that were opened and left uncovered in a locked operating room (i.e., one with no traffic). Group 2 was identical to Group 1 with the addition of single-person traffic flowing in and out of the operating room from a nonsterile corridor every ten minutes. Group 3 included fifteen trays that were opened, immediately covered with a sterile surgical towel, and then left uncovered in a locked operating room (i.e., one with no traffic). Results: Three of the thirty uncovered trays (one left in the operating room with traffic and two left in the room with no traffic) were found to be contaminated immediately after opening. After those three trays were eliminated, the contamination rates recorded for the twenty-seven uncovered trays were 4% (one tray) at thirty minutes, 15% (four) at one hour, 22% (six) at two hours, 26% (seven) at three hours, and 30% (eight) at four hours. There was no difference in survival time (p = 0.47) or contamination rate (p = 0.69) between the uncovered trays in the room with traffic and those in the room without traffic. The covered trays were not contaminated during the testing period. The survival time for those trays was significantly longer (p = 0.03) and the contamination rate was significantly lower (p = 0.02) than those for the uncovered trays. Conclusions: Culture positivity correlated directly with the duration of open exposure of the uncovered operating-room trays. Light traffic in the operating room appeared to have no impact on the contamination risk. Coverage of surgical trays with a sterile towel significantly reduced the contamination risk. Clinical Relevance: Sterile trays should not be opened until they are specifically needed during the procedure. Coverage of opened trays with a sterile towel is recommended to minimize their exposure to environmental contaminants.
Hospital characteristics associated with success in a pay-for-performance program in orthopaedic surgery.

Background: Pay-for-performance programs are designed to link payments to clinical outcomes. We investigated the characteristics of hospitals in the United States, such as size and volume, that were associated with the receipt of a clinical performance bonus in a nationwide pay-for-performance progr
Exact Space-Charge Field Solutions for Cylindrically Symmetric Beam Currents in a Circular Conductor Pipe

We derive an exact formalism for calculating the space-charge fields of an electron beam inside of a perfectly conducting cylindrical pipe. The formalism utilizes a series expansion of the beam-charge and current densities in Bessel functions in conjunction with a time-dependent Green's function method to compute the exact space-charge fields due to the beam with the appropriate conductor boundary conditions. The formalism can be utilized for theoretical and numerical studies of high-space-charge beams, such as those found in high-power microwave sources. As a numerical example, we demonstrate how this formalism can be implemented numerically to compute the space-charge fields for a bunched beam which is undergoing radial oscillations.
The crystal structure of deuterated benzene

The crystal structure of deuterated benzene has been refined by single-crystal neutron diffraction analysis at 15 and 123 K. The unit-cell dimensions were also measured at 52.6 and 80 K, and the thermal-expansion coefficients at all four temperatures were calculated. The molecules have C$\_{3v}$ symmetry with a small chair-distortion from D$\_{6h}$, which is possibly significant for the carbon atoms and significant for the deuterium atoms. The mean observed bond lengths at 15 K \[123 K\] are C-C = 1.3972 (5) A \[1.3940 (9) A\] (1 A = 10.$^{-10}$ m = 10$^{-1}$ nm); C-D = 1.0864 (7) A \[1.0838 (10) A\]. When corrected for molecular libration, the corresponding rest values are 1.3980 A \[1.3985 A\]; 1.088 A \[1.088 A\]. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the MP-2/6-31G* level gave energy-optimized bond lengths of 1.395 and 1.087 A for the isolated molecule at rest, in agreement with the corrected values from the crystal structure within the experimental errors.
Nutrient availability to marine macroalgae in siliciclastic versus carbonate-rich coastal waters

Abundant populations of frondose epilithic macroalgae from a variety of carbonate-rich tropical waters were significantly depleted in phosphorus relative to carbon and nitrogen when compared to macroalgae from temperate siliciclastic waters. Percent carbon (C) and percent nitrogen (N) dry weight contents were similar between tissues from the siliciclastic and carbonate environments (means of 22.6% vs. 20.1% and 1.0% vs. 1.2%, respectively), but phosphorus (P) levels were two-fold lower (0.15% vs. 0.07%) in the carbonate-rich systems. Accordingly, the molar C:N tissue ratios were comparable between macroalgae from the siliciclastic and carbonate sites (mean of 29.2 vs. 23.1), whereas large differences were observed for the C:P (mean of 430 vs. 976) and N:P ratios (mean of 14.9 vs. 43.4). In addition, alkaline phosphatase activity was low and often undetectable in the macroalgae from siliciclastic habitats (mean of 7.3 μM PO4 3− released g dry wt−1 h−1) compared to seven-fold higher rates (52.5 μM PO4 3− released g dry wt−1 h−1) observed in the macroalgae from carbonate systems. Seawater samples taken adjacent to benthic macroalgae from the carbonate-rich tropical waters contained relatively high levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen with low concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and showed elevated N:SRP ratios (mean=36) compared to siliciclastic environments (mean <3). These data support the precept that availability of N limits the productivity of macroalgae in temperate siliciclastic waters but, conversely, suggest that availability of P, rather than N, may be of paramount importance in limiting primary production of macroalgae in carbonate-rich tropical waters.
Stochastic Search Methods to Improve the Convergence of Adaptive Notch Filters

Adaptive Notch Filters (ANFs) are known to have convergence problems due to their non-quadratic error surface. We propose two approaches to improve the convergence of the ANF. The first approach is based on the method of stochastic search. The second approach checks to see whether the estimated signal is correlated to the measurement or is just filtered white noise. The ANF is reinitialized when the estimated signal is filtered white noise (i.e. when the ANF misses the right frequency). Both of these methods show superior convergence comparing to the classical Nehorai ANF.
Direct Quantum Mechanical Simulations of Shocked Energetic Materials Supporting Future Force Insensitive Munitions (IM) Requirements

Quantum mechanical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) are used to study dynamic behavior of shocked polymeric nitrogen, a novel energetic material. We report results on system sizes in excess of 3,000 atoms. Such calculations on system sizes within the 1,000 atom range remain problematic using standard implementations of DFT. We evaluate the feasibility of using several available DFT codes for this work through comparison of scalability and resource requirements. In this study, we utilize a recently developed highly-scalable localized orbital DFT code, CP2K, designed to treat large systems. Scaling and performance benchmarks of the CP2K on several Department of Defense (DoD) high performance computing (HPC) computers are presented for a variety of system sizes and shapes. Additionally, we report preliminary calculations on the conventional explosive nitromethane. In those calculations in excess of 3,500, atoms are treated.
New data on the genus Tamolia Horváth, 1900 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tessaratomidae), with description of a new species.

The first specific locality data within New Guinea is provided for Tamolia ramifera (Walker, 1868). The male genitalia of this species is described for the first time. Tamolia ancalagon n. sp. is described from Karimui, New Guinea.
An automated resource for enhanced differential analysis

Background Differential Shannon entropy (DSE) and differential coefficient of variation (DCV) have proven to be effective complements to differential expression (DE) in the analysis of gene co-expression data[1]. Because DSE and DCV measure difference in variability, rather than mere difference in magnitude, they can often identify significant changes in gene activity not reflected in mere mean expression level.
The Means Principle

Michael Moore believes there are deontological constraints on actors’ pursuit of good consequences. He believes these constraints are best conceived of as agent-relative prohibitions such as “you must not intentionally kill, batter, rape, steal, etc.” I, joined in recent years by Kimberly Ferzan, believe that the best interpretation of deontological constraints — the interpretation that best accounts for our intuitions about certain stock cases — is that they are constraints on the causal means by which good consequences may be achieved. We believe those constraints can be unified under a single deontological principle, what we call the “means principle.” It forbids actors from achieving otherwise good consequences by using, without their consent, others’ bodies, labor, talents, or the resources that are rightfully theirs. The means principle can be viewed as a jurisdictional limitation on the reach of strong (legitimately enforceable) moral obligations. Its focus is on the causal structure of how good consequences are to be achieved, not on the mental states of those attempting to achieve them. Actors’ mental states can affect their culpability but not whether their acts are morally permissible. Even with respect to culpability, actors’ beliefs rather than their intentions are the primary determinants. Their intentions can affect only the level of their culpability if they are culpable, but cannot render an otherwise nonculpable act culpable. Thus, the means principle is a stark contrast to Moore’s agent-relative, intention-focused account of deontological constraints.