cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STUDIES ON A PARATYPHOID INFECTION IN GUINEA PIGS : II. FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE TRANSITION FROM EPIDEMIC TO ENDEMIC PHASE.

Factors bearing on the maintenance of paratyphoid in an endemic state are discussed. There was no evidence of any increase nor any dearly demonstrable proof of a decline in virulence of the causative organism. This persisted within the breeding stock and it is suggested that the sows constituted the chief focus for dissemination of the organism to their young and from these to the population at large. Evidence is presented that the carriage of B. paratyphi in the feces was of relatively short duration. Fecal carriage of B. paratyphi was commonly associated with a localization of the organism in the spleen. Since it is obvious that some factor or factors must have changed in the transition from epidemic to endemic phase in the presence of younger generations, the hypothesis is tentatively presented that the transition from epidemic to endemic phase is due to a combination of the weeding out of individuals of low natural resistance with a gradual adjustment of the invading organism to the population on a lowered level of virulence.
Interaction potential matrix elements for single-particle scattering off a simple harmonic oscillator

The matrix elements of the interaction potential for spinless two-particle scattering, where one of the particles is confined about the origin by a harmonic-oscillator potential, are explicitly evaluated. this problem is important in the quantum-mechanical theory of ultracold particle sticking to clean surfaces, and is directly relevant to studies of molecular adsoroption/desorption. A new result concerning the Hermite polynomials is obtained, as well as the discovery of a novel family of polynomials that are intimately connected with the diagonal matrix elements of the interaction potential. Recursion relations and a generating function are obtained for these polynomials. The zeros of these polynomials are also discussed.
Optimum arrival-time estimation in exploration seismology

Estimation of the arrival time of a primary seismic layer reflection is formulated as a radar/sonar problem of optimum processing in the presence of colored noise. In this application, the colored noise is considered to be reverberation noise, the sum of all undesired arrivals. The performance of the optimum processor represents an upper bound for any other processor which seeks to perform the same task. Estimation and detection performance bounds are computed for the optimum processor. A primary distinction between this method and others used to date is that an explicit model of earth attenuation has been postulated and employed in the derivation of the processor: deep return are recoverable in the presence of shallow, for instance, because the deep returns have been more severely filtered by the earth.
A master's degree in school computer studies

Several papers have been written about the shortage of knowledgeable computer science teachers at the secondary and junior college level. Additional reports have been written describing workshops, courses, and various other methods to help reduce this shortage. See for example papers by Moursund, Dennis, Piorot and others in various publications by ACM and the proceedings of recent National Educational Computing Conferences.(l,2)Very few papers have reported on the existence of degree programs for teachers who are interested in developing the necessary background to teach computer science. Even fewer master's degree programs exist to help train teachers in computer science education. Moursund has described the master's degree at Oregon(3), Lykos has established a degree at Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Illinois has a degree for teachers.(2)This paper describes a unique master's degree program at Northwest Missouri State University. Details are given on the development and present status of the program. Also, several suggestions are indicated for possible future directions for such a program.
Effect of Various Anions and Zwitterions on the Lasing Properties of a Photostable Cationic Laser Dye

An unusually photostable cationic laser dye first prepared by quaternization of the free base 4PyMPO (Figure 1) with methyl p-toluenesulfonate unexpectedly had, when flashlamp pumped in methanol, half the energy output of four other N-methyl quaternary salts: the methanesulfonate, the trifluoromethanesulfonate, the perchlorate, and the tetrafluoroborate. When four homologous zwitterions (Figure 2) prepared from 4PyMPO were tested in methanol, the output energies ranged from 1.4 to 2.5 times that of the p-toluenesulfonate, and up to 1.3 times that of the salt with the highest output. When flashlamp pumped in water, the zwitterions showed 1.5 to 2.0 times the output energy of the p-toluenesulfonate in water. Many of the dyes displayed laser output curves that were split in the middle, so that lasing energy appeared on either side of a dark valley. Among the zwitterions, a regular shifting from red to blue was observed as the carbon chain length was increased.
A biomarker of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and Ernst Wynder's opinion about ETS and lung cancer

Ernst Wynder did not believe that environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as secondhand smoke, was a cause of lung cancer because his own data did not support this. His view on the issue may have begun to change with our initial studies, carried out at the American Health Foundation, showing that metabolites of the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) were present in the urine of non-smokers exposed to ETS. The metabolites - 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) and its glucuronides (NNAL-Glucs) - have now emerged as leading biomarkers for the study of carcinogen exposure in non-smokers exposed to ETS. Subsequent work has consistently demonstrated elevated levels of NNAL plus NNAL-Glucs in the urine of people exposed to ETS in various field studies and throughout life. These studies strongly support the epidemiologic data demonstrating that ETS exposure causes lung cancer in non-smokers and have likely had an impact on tobacco control.
A specification paradigm for the design and implementation of tangible user interfaces

Tangible interaction shows promise to significantly enhance computer-mediated support for activities such as learning, problem solving, and design. However, tangible user interfaces are currently considered challenging to design and build. Designers and developers of these interfaces encounter several conceptual, methodological, and technical difficulties. Among others, these challenges include: the lack of appropriate interaction abstractions, the shortcomings of current user interface software tools to address continuous and parallel interactions, as well as the excessive effort required to integrate novel input and output technologies. To address these challenges, we propose a specification paradigm for designing and implementing Tangible User Interfaces (TUIs), that enables TUI developers to specify the structure and behavior of a tangible user interface using high-level constructs which abstract away implementation details. An important benefit of this approach, which is based on User Interface Description Language (UIDL) research, is that these specifications could be automatically or semi-automatically converted into concrete TUI implementations. In addition, such specifications could serve as a common ground for investigating both design and implementation concerns by TUI developers from different disciplines.Thus, the primary contribution of this article is a high-level UIDL that provides developers from different disciplines means for effectively specifying, discussing, and programming a broad range of tangible user interfaces. There are three distinct elements to this contribution: a visual specification technique that is based on Statecharts and Petri nets, an XML-compliant language that extends this visual specification technique, as well as a proof-of-concept prototype of a Tangible User Interface Management System (TUIMS) that semi-automatically translates high-level specifications into a program controlling specific target technologies.
Use of dual responses to increase validity of case-control studies☆

Abstract It has been demonstrated that randomly distributed inaccuracy of dichotomous reports in case-control studies biases estimates of the effects of exposure toward one. We show that a simple procedure involving the use of dual exposure reports may lessen this bias. The use of this procedure is illustrated with a data set in which the actual relative risk associated with dichotomous exposure is 4.0. We observe that, if exposure is reported with 60% accuracy and the observed relative risk is approximately 1.3, an additional set of equally accurate exposure reports can be used to uncover an assessed relative risk as high as 1.7. The supplementing of exposure reports with 90% accuracy by an additional set of equally accurate reports can be used to uncover an assessed relative risk as as high as 1.7. The supplementing of exposure reports with 90% accuracy by an additional set of equally accurate exposure reports can increase the observed relative risk from 3.0 to as high as 3.9. We conclude that using dual reports could be valuable in strengthening the inference of case-control studies assessing the effects of dietary, occupational, or other exposures
A method for analysis of bending and shearing deformations in biological tissue

This paper describes a theoretical and experimental approach to the analysis of the deformations of a thin biological tissue. A biological tissue undergoes complex deformations during which normal and shearing strains are produced. These strains can be very large and yet be within the elastic range of the material. The procedure described is demonstrated for the pericardium used in making bioprosthetic heart valves. It is observed that the pericardium exhibits a directional property in which the shearing deformations occur in one direction but not in the opposite direction. By the application of the proposed method, modes of deformation can be determined and modes of failure predicted.
T-cell tolerance to viruses.

Abstract T-cell tolerance to self antigens is maintained by events that occur within the thymus and in the periphery. Mechanisms that opetate on immature T cells within the thymus are effective in induction of tolerance to viruses, but mechanisms of tolerizing mature T cells are likely to break down. This failure of peripheral mechanisms to induce T-cell tolerance to viruses has implications for autoimmunity and for treatment of chronic viral infections.
Hemolytic Activity of Membrane-Active Peptides Correlates with the Thermodynamics of Binding to 1-Palmitoyl-2-Oleoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine Bilayers

Understanding the mechanisms of antimicrobial, cytolytic and cell-penetrating peptides is important for the design of new peptides to be used as cargo-delivery systems or antimicrobials. But these peptides should not be hemolytic. Recently, we designed a series of such membrane-active peptides and tested several hypotheses about their mechanisms on model membranes. To that end, the Gibbs free energy of binding to 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) vesicles was determined experimentally. Because the main lipid components of the outermost monolayer of erythrocyte membranes are zwitterionic, like POPC, we hypothesized that the Gibbs free energy of binding of these peptides to POPC would also be a good indicator of their hemolytic activity. Now, the hemolytic activity of those synthetic peptides was examined by measuring the lysis of sheep erythrocyte suspensions after peptide addition. Indeed, the Gibbs free energy of binding was in good correlation with the hemolytic activity, which was represented by the concentration of peptide in solution that produced 50 % hemolysis. Furthermore, with two exceptions, those peptides that caused graded dye release from POPC vesicles were also hemolytic, while most of those that caused all-or-none release were not.
Total serum IgD is increased in atopic subjects.

We have developed a sandwich-type ELISA system for measuring total IgD levels in the serum of atopics and non-atopic controls. In this ELISA system, affinity purified goat anti-human IgD was used for capture. Results were superior to those obtained with monoclonal anti-human IgD antibody. No cross-reactivity could be demonstrated to IgG. IgM, IgA or IgE. The assay showed minimal non-specific binding even with initial serum dilutions of 1:2. The results obtained were reproducible among replicates (Mean CV ± SEM = 0.03 ± 0.002; n= 251), between dilutions (CV = 0.08 ± 0.006; n= 108), and between assays (CV = 0.05 ± 0.12; n= 5). We used routine radioimmunoassay for measuring total serum IgE. Using these assays total serum IgD and IgE levels were measured in 75 atopic patients and 33 normal subjects. None of the atopics had recent immunotherapy. As expected, the geometric mean serum IgE in atopics (373 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in normal subjects (49 ng/ml) (P < 0.01). However, geometric mean serum IgD was also significantly higher in atopics (20.3 μg/ml) than that in normal subjects (8.4 μg/ml) (P < 0.02). In both atopic and normal groups, mean serum IgD level did not differ significantly on the bases of age, sex or asthmatic status. Furthermore, total serum IgD was not significantly correlated with total serum IgE (r = 0.14; P= 0.14; n= 108), indicating that immunoregulatory control of the basal levels of the two isotypes is not linked. In a subset of more thoroughly studied atopic patients, total serum IgD but not serum IgE was correlated with D2O-induced basophil histamine release (r = 0.34: P < 0.05; n= 37). There was no correlationship of serum IgD or serum IgE to methacholine inhalation challenge, to spontaneous basophil histamine release or that induced by anti-IgE, calcium icnophore, or a platelet-derived histamine releasing factor (PD-HRF). However, among poor responders to PD-HRF, serum IgD was also correlated with PD-HRF induced histamine release (r = 0.59; P < 0.025; n= 21). Our preliminary results indicate that the role of IgD in atopic disorders deserves further investigation.
Factors associated with participation in a prevention trial aimed at reducing biomarkers of breast cancer risk

Abstract Objectives Poor enrollment into prevention trials is a major obstacle to the conduct of clinical investigations. This study focuses on cognitive and affective influences on the decision to participate in a clinical trial aimed at reducing biomarkers of breast cancer risk. Methods Following a decision to participate or not in a clinical trial focused on reduction of breast cancer risk, women were recruited into the present study. Data were gathered via telephone survey. Results One hundred healthy women took part in the current study, 72 of whom had participated in the clinical trial, and 28 of whom had declined participation. Women who decided to enroll perceived more benefits and fewer costs, and they experienced more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions. They also made the decision more quickly, more easily, were more satisfied with it, and had fewer regrets than women who declined participation in the clinical trial. Conclusions Participants to this clinical trial differed from nonparticipants in terms of antecedents, process, and outcomes of the decision to enroll. Practice implications Although obstacles exist, accrual might be improved by greater emphasis on the practical and psychosocial benefits to participants.
Inverse-signal analysis with PCA

Abstract Current methods for analyzing dynamic measurements from chemical processes and instruments often rely on fitting parametric models to the measured data; the methods assume a predetermined mathematical function for the measurement signal. Principal component analysis (PCA) is a useful technique for extracting condensed descriptors from multivariate data without predetermined functional forms for the signals; however, it assumes linear relationships among signals. In practice, many signals are not adequately modeled by linear techniques; signals which display variation in time scales are especially difficult to model with linear relationships. In this paper, we present a method for transforming such signals in order to efficiently apply PCA without restriction to a pre-defined model. An inversion of the signals is shown to be an effective way to transform signals, with varying time scales, prior to PCA. Two examples are presented that illustrate this methodology, and the results are compared to those obtained from applying PCA without transforming the signals.
Report on Mississippi‐Atchafalaya streamflow

A new report from the U.S. Geological Survey presents streamflow and nutrient flux data from 1960–2005 for the Atchafalaya River, the main stem of the Mississippi River, 9 major subbasins of the Mississippi, and 21 additional selected subbasins. Nutrient flux estimates are provided for 6 water-quality constituents: dissolved nitrite plus nitrate, total organic nitrogen plus ammonia nitrogen, dissolved ammonia, total phosphorous, dissolved orthophosphate, and dissolved silica. The report, “Streamflow and Nutrient Fluxes of the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin and Subbasins for the Period of Record Through 2005,” is available at http://toxics.usgs.gov/pubs/of-2007-1080/
Ethics of Synthetic Life: A Jaina Perspective

Many Western philosophers, from Aristotle through Descartes and even Collingwood and Whitehead, have regarded the material world to be largely inert and subject to human intervention. The modern period has yielded more nuanced definitions of nature, seeing the process of life as self-generating and self-sustaining. The Jaina worldview, dating from the first several centuries before the common era, has developed an elaborate biological schematic that attributes sentience and hence soul to even the elements of earth, water, fire, and air. They also developed a sophisticated ethical response to the “livingness” of things. The Jaina attitudes toward synthetic life are explored at the end of the paper, suggesting that even engineered cells would nonetheless possess the qualities of life that must be valued and protected.
Evidence for a physiological role for membrane rafts in human platelets

We have investigated raft formation in human platelets in response to cell activation. Lipid phase separation and domain formation were detected using the fluorescent dye 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate (diI-C(18)) that preferentially partitions into gel-like lipid domains. We showed that when human platelets are activated by cold and physiological agonists, rafts coalesce into visible aggregates. These events were disrupted by depletion of membrane cholesterol. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we measured a thermal phase transition at around 30 degrees C in intact platelets, which we have assigned as the liquid-ordered to the liquid-disordered phase transition of rafts. Phase separation of the phospholipid and the sphingomyelin-enriched rafts could be observed as two phase transitions at around 15 and 30 degrees C, respectively. The higher transition, assigned to the rafts, was greatly enhanced with removal of membrane cholesterol. Detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) were enriched in cholesterol (50%) and sphingomyelin (20%). The multi-functional platelet receptor CD36 selectively partitioned into DRMs, whereas the GPI-linked protein CD55 and the major platelet integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3a) did not, which suggests that the clustering of proteins within rafts is a regulated process dependent on specific lipid protein interactions. We suggest that raft aggregation is a dynamic, reversible physiological event triggered by cell activation.
Bremsstrahlung from Polarized Electrons.

The production of unpolarized bremsstrahlung by polarized electrons in the Coulomb field of a nucleus is considered. An approximate analytical expression for the differential cross section summed over final electron spins is presented. This differential cross section is integrated numerically over angles of the emitted electron to determine the asymmetry in the photon angular distribution. Results of the numerical integration are given for incident electron velocities in the range $0.4c\ensuremath{\le}v\ensuremath{\le}0.9c$.
Successful treatment of recalcitrant dissecting cellulitis of the scalp with complete scalp excision and split-thickness skin graft.

BACKGROUND Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a therapeutically challenging, chronic, progressive, suppurative disease of the scalp that is of unknown etiology. In addition to causing considerable discomfort and cosmetic disfigurement, long-standing lesions may result in the development of squamous cell carcinoma. Several treatment modalities for DCS have been employed with variable results. OBJECTIVE To report the successful treatment of an aggressive, refractory case of DCS with complete scalp excision and split-thickness skin graft. METHODS A 25-year-old black male with DCS was treated with complete scalp excision and split-thickness graft from the anterior thighs. RESULTS The patient has remained free of disease activity and is satisfied with the cosmetic result. CONCLUSION. Complete scalp excision with split-thickness skin graft may be curative in patients with DCS and should be considered in recalcitrant cases that fail to respond to medical therapy.
Field Experiment to Determine Host Specificity and Oviposition Behavior of Bangasternus orientalis and Bangasternus fausti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Biological Control Candidates for Yellow Starthistle and Diffuse Knapweed

This research was conducted to determine host plant specificity and oviposition behavior of Bangasternus orientalis Capiomont and Bangasternus fausti (Reitter) in a freechoice field experiment. Labeled adult Bangasternus spp. were exposed equally to eight selected plant species and cultivars in a field experiment in Greece. Weevil/plant associations were quantified and weevils were reared and identified from randomized flower head samples from all blocks. Adult B. orientalis showed overwhelming preference for Centaurea solstitialis L., although some attraction and oviposition occurred on Centaurea diffusa Lam. and Centaurea calcitrapa L. Adult B. fausti showed strong preference for C. diffusa , but some attraction and oviposition occurred on C. calcitrapa and C. solstitialis . The evidence suggests that these Bangasternus spp. have a very restricted host-plant range, feeding only on a small number of plants in the genus Centaurea , and are potential candidates for biological control programs against Centaurea in California.
The influence of hypothalamic temperature on some thermoregulatory effects of hypothalamic injections of norepinephrine.

Abstract Bilateral injections of norepinephrine bitartrate (5.0–20.0 μg) into the preoptic region and anterior hypothalamus were always followed by a reduction in core temperature and rate of behaviorally obtaining radiant heat in cold-exposed (5°C) squirrel monkeys regardless of whether the temperature of this region was experimentally raised (40–42°C) or lowered (32–34°C). Decreases in tail temperature following injections of norepinephrine indicated that vasoconstriction was also associated with the reduction in body temperature and behavioral responses. Since conflicting behavioral and autonomic responses are observed following injections of norepinephrine, it is suggested that norepinephrine may be affecting thermoregulatory effector pathways nonspecifically rather than altering the set point about which body temperature is regulated.
Clindamycin Phosphate Used in Combination with Tretinoin in the Treatment of Acne

: Sixty-four patients with acne were studied to evaluate the irritancy, tolerance, and systemic absorption of topical 1 % clindamycin phosphate when combined with tretinoin gel 0.025% as compared to either agent alone. All these treatment regimens were effective and well-tolerated. Clindamycin alone was less irritating than tretinoin alone or tretinoin combined with clindamycin. The combination treatment produced fewer complaints from patients than tretinoin alone. No systemic absorption of clindamycin was detected after two weeks and eight weeks of usage.
Foil Gas Bearing With Compression Springs: Analyses and Experiments

A new foil gas bearing with spring bumps was constructed, analyzed, and tested. The new foil gas bearing uses a series of compression springs as compliant underlying structures instead of corrugated bump foils. Experiments on the stiffness of the spring bumps show an excellent agreement with an analytical model developed for the spring bumps. Load capacity, structural stiffness, and equivalent viscous damping (and structural loss factor) were measured to demonstrate the feasibility of the new foil bearing. Orbit and coast-down simulations using the calculated stiffness and measured structural loss factor indicate that the damping of underlying structure can suppress the maximum peak at the critical speed very effectively but not the onset of hydrodynamic rotor-bearing instability. However, the damping plays an important role in suppressing the subsynchronous vibrations under limit cycles. The observation is believed to be true with any air foil bearings with different types of elastic foundations.
MYST-family lysine acetyltransferase facilitates ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase-mediated dna damage response in toxoplasma gondii

The MYST family of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) function in a wide variety of cellular operations, including gene regulation and the DNA damage response. Here we report the characterization of the second MYST family KAT in the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (TgMYST-B). Toxoplasma causes birth defects and is an opportunistic pathogen in the immunocompromised, the latter due to its ability to convert into a latent cyst (bradyzoite). We demonstrate that TgMYST-B can gain access to the parasite nucleus and acetylate histones. Overexpression of recombinant, tagged TgMYST-B reduces growth rate in vitro and confers protection from a DNA-alkylating agent. Expression of mutant TgMYST-B produced no growth defect and failed to protect against DNA damage. We demonstrate that cells overexpressing TgMYST-B have increased levels of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase and phosphorylated H2AX and that TgMYST-B localizes to the ATM kinase gene. Pharmacological inhibitors of ATM kinase or KATs reverse the slow growth phenotype seen in parasites overexpressing TgMYST-B. These studies are the first to show that a MYST KAT contributes to ATM kinase gene expression, further illuminating the mechanism of how ATM kinase is up-regulated to respond to DNA damage.
Ternary equiatomic transition metal silicides and germanides

Abstract The phases TiRhSi, TiPdSi, MnRhSi, ZrFeGe, ZrRhGe, ZrPdGe, and NbRhGe crystallize with the TiNiSi (ordered anti-PbCl 2 ) structure. ZrRuSi possesses the Fe 2 P structure, while TiRuSi has the closely related TiFeSi structure. Cell parameters for these phases and a refinement of the structure of ZrRuSi from X-ray powder data are reported. Relationships among the observed structural types as well as the “filled” NiAs (Ni 2 In) type are pointed out. The crystal chemistry of ternary equiatomic phases of two transition metals and silicon or germanium is discussed, emphasizing differences in metal-metal bonding.
Pigmented Lesions of the Vulva

Approximately one of every 10 women has a pigmented vulvar lesion. Given the risk of melanomas and pigmented vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (squamous cell carcinoma in situ), proper evaluation of vulvar pigmented lesions is critical. Most vulvar lesions are benign; however, vulvar lesions grossly, dermoscopically, and histologically can appear atypical compared with pigmented lesions on the rest of the body. Thus, it is imperative to use not only a keen eye but also a low threshold for biopsy.
Transforming Growth Factors β1 and β2 in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Chronic Schizophrenic Patients

Transforming growth factor betas (TGFβs) are potent immunosuppressive molecules released in the brain after injury. We hypothesized that TGFβ levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenic patients would be altered because TGFβ can influence neural cell adhesion moelecule (N-CAM) expression in vitro. The levels of TGFβ1 and β2 in CSF of patients with schizophrenia and normal controls measured by ELISA showed no differences. There was evidence that the stability of TGFβ in CSF may be altered in schizophrenia. For a limited sample, TGFβ1 and N-CAM concentrations were significantly correlated in normal patients (r = 0.98) but not in schizophrenics. The results do not support an active neurodegeneration or anti-inflammatory response in the central nervous system, which is reflected in the CSF of chronic schizophrenics. © 1997 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology [Neuropsychopharmacology 16:83–87,1997]
The Occurrence of Synchrony in the North American Firefly Photinus carolinus (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)

Synchronous flashing has been described for some Southeast Asian fireflies but has rarely been reported in North American fireflies. Our field observations indicated thatPhotinus carolinus flash synchronously. The flash pattern of individualP. carolinus was characterized by a burst of five to eight flashes over a period of approximately 4 s. These flash bursts were repeated about every 12 s. Groups of fireflies comprised individuals exhibiting this species-specific flash pattern. Remarkably, members of the group flashed synchronously: Flash bursts started and stopped at the same time and the flashes among individuals occurred at the same time as well. We used low-light level videography to examine this behavior in caged groups of (3 or 10) fireflies for synchronic flashing. The occurrence of concurrent rhythmic group flashing satisfies the criteria for synchrony as defined by Buck (1988). The intermittent nature of the bursts of flashes shown byP. carolinus makes this a discontinuous synchrony. The mechanisms underlying discontinuous synchrony are not known.
Persistent infections of green monkey kidney cells initiated with temperature-sensitive mutants of simian virus 40.

Abstract An early SV40 temperature-sensitive ( ts ) mutant, ts A58, and a late mutant, tsB11 , each expressed homotypie interference in CV-1 cells coinfected with WT. Interference required the functional activities of the mutant genomes and resulted from a competitive interaction between the mutants and WT. Another late mutant, tsD101 did not display interference activity. Nevertheless, each of the is mutants promoted the survival of CV-1 cells coinfected with WT at 37° and, consequently, facilitated the establishment of persistent infections. Each of the mutants was also more able than WT to establish persistent infections under conditions of single infection. Only a few percent of the cells in these persistent infections produced the SV40 T or V antigens and clonal isolates from these systems contained both antigen-producing and nonproducing cells. These systems were resistant to superinfection with WT SV40 but were completely susceptible to vesicular stomatitis virus. There was a rapid selection for ts + virus in the persistent infections initiated by mixed infection with the ts mutants and WT. The proportion of ts + virus also increased, although somewhat more slowly, in the systems initiated by infection with the mutants alone. Defective interfering (DI) particles were detected in some stocks by yield reduction assays. Many viral genomes in stocks displaying DI particle activity contained multiple Bgl I cleavage sites, indicating that they possess reiterations of the origin for DNA replication.
Meson multiplicity versus energy in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions

A systematic study of meson multiplicity as a function of energy at energies up to 100 GeV/u in nucleus-nucleus collisions has been made, using cosmic-ray data in nuclear emulsion. The data are consistent with simple nucleon-nucleon superposition models. Multiplicity per interacting nucleon in AA collisions does not appear to differ significantly from pp collisions.
Impact of surface steps and oxygen pre-coverage on the adsorption of methylamine on gold.

Using density functional theory calculations, we report on the adsorption of methylamine on gold and compare its adsorption to a selection of alkylamines, methanol and methanethiol. On the (111) surface, the amines, thiol and alcohol bind in the ontop site with a preference over hollow and bridge sites of 0.3 eV, 0.2 eV and 0.1 eV for methylamine, methanethiol and methanol, respectively. The effect of steps is considered on the (211) surface of gold and we find that methylamine adsorbs 0.2 eV more strongly in the step ontop site of the surface than on the (111) surface. For oxygen atom pre-coverages of 0.04–0.25 ML on the (111) surface, we find cooperative adsorption of amines and oxygen atoms. The energetic costs of adsorbate tilt from the surface normal and of rotation about the gold–heteroatom bond are compared among the studied surfaces and conditions.
Comutagenic effects exerted by N-nitroso compounds.

Abstract Mutagenesis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and N -methyl- N -nitrosourea (NMU) in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA1530 is characterized by biphasic dose and time response curves. At low doses or short incubation times mutagenic response is minimal, but increases rapidly when an apparent threshold dose or threshold incubation time is exceeded. Bacteria pretreated with subthreshold doses of DMN or NMU were many times more sensitive to the mutagenic effects of methylating and ethylating N -nitroso compounds than were untreated bacteria. The growth phase of the bacteria had little effect on the percentage enhancement of mutagenesis caused by pretreatment with NMU although exponentially growing cells were more sensitive to mutagenesis induced by NMU or diethylnitrosamine. Mutagenesis induced by methylmethanesulfonate and N -propyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine was not significantly enhanced by pretreatment of bacteria with NMU or NEU suggesting that the former mutagens act by different mechanisms than NMU or NEU.
The Problem of Political Science: Political Relevance and Scientific Rigor in Aristotle's “Philosophy of Human Affairs”

Treatments of Aristotle's moral-political science have largely disregarded the methodological statements that he delivers as he embarks on his “philosophy of human affairs” in book I of the Nicomachean Ethics. A consideration of these statements, however, lends critical support to the view that Aristotle sought to give the sharpest possible expression to ordinary moral-political opinion. Moreover, apart from revealing the by-no-means ordinary reasons that induced Aristotle to do so (and to do so in contrast to Plato), such a consideration sheds light on the source of the vagueness or ambiguity that defines moral-political opinion as such. Indeed, the methodological statements are perhaps the first entries in the old quarrel of “relevance versus rigor.” And, through them, Aristotle suggests how political scientists today might walk a fine line between “politics,” on one hand, and “science,” on the other, without losing sight of the ultimate tension between them.
HU Binding to DNA: Evidence for Multiple Complex Formation and DNA Bending†

HU, a nonspecific histone-like DNA binding protein, participates in a number of genomic events as an accessory protein and forms multiple complexes with DNA. The HU-DNA binding interaction was characterized by fluorescence, generated with the guanosine analogue 3-methyl-8-(2-deoxy-‚-D- ribofuranosyl)isoxanthopterin (3-MI) directly incorporated into DNA duplexes. The stoichiometry and equilibrium binding constants of complexes formed between HU and 13 and 34 bp DNA duplexes were determined using fluorescence anisotropy and analytical ultracentrifugation. These measurements reveal that three HU molecules bind to the 34 bp duplexes, while two HU molecules bind to the 13 bp duplex. The data are well described by an independent binding site model, and the association constants for the first binding event for both duplexes are similar (1 10 6 M -1 ), indicating that HU binding affinity is independent of duplex length. Further analysis of the binding curves in terms of a nonspecific binding model is indicative that HU binding to DNA exhibits little to no cooperativity. The fluorescence intensity also increases upon HU binding, consistent with decreased base stacking and increased solvent exposure of the 3-MI fluorescence probe. These results are suggestive of a local bending or unwinding of the DNA. On the basis of these results we propose a model in which bending of DNA accompanies HU binding. Up to five complex bands are observed in gel mobility shift assays of HU binding to the 34 bp duplexes. We suggest that protein-induced bending of the DNA leads to the observation of complexes in the gel, which have the same molecular weight but different relative mobilities.
Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy Study of the Degradation of Pyromellitic Acid Diester

The degradation of pyromellitic acid diester (PMDE) was studied by transmission Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR). Reaction temperatures were varied from room temperature to 280°C, and the effect of temperature upon the observed vibrational modes of PMDE was monitored and analyzed. The formation of both a cyclic and a noncyclic anhydride was observed.
The Immovable Object Versus the Irresistible Force: Problems and Opportunities for Humanistic Psychology:

The immovable force of an increasingly reductionistic approach to understanding and treating psychological life and the irresistible force of people searching desperately for solutions to struggles...
Self-organized multi-class QoS provision for ABR traffic in ATM networks

This paper presents a distributed, market-based approach for providing multiple service classes with graded quality-of-service (QoS) characteristics in the context of supporting ABR traffic in ATM networks. We define a network model facilitating two types of network traffic, reserved and nonreserved, the latter servicing traffic sources with non-strict QoS requirements on a best-effort basis. Two goals characterize the present approach: transparency of control and adaptability to changing application demand. A prioritized cell scheduling policy is defined which induces service classes with a range of QoS properties. Applications, in the process of trying to maximize individual utility, compete for bandwidth tagged by service class labels via a market mechanism. Greediness, in general, does not lead to system-optimal allocation of network resources, and system optimality, Nash equilibria, and Pareto optimality need not coincide. The main feature of our system is its ability to adapt to changing aggregate application demand and its QoS characteristics in the absence of explicit control where transparency extends both to applications and the network. Simulation results are shown which depict the self-organizing properties of the system.
Synthesis and characterization of Cu x S nanoparticles. Nature of the infrared band and charge-carrier dynamics*

Cu x S (x = 1,2) nanoparticles have been synthesized utilizing different capping molecules including polyethyleneglycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), casein hydrolysate-enzymatic (CAS), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The ground-state electronic absorption spectra of the Cu x S nanoparticles show three distinct types of Cu x S formed: a green type assigned as crystalline CuS, and two brown types assigned as crystalline Cu 2 S and amorphous Cu 2 S. The brown types exhibit a steady increase in absorption toward shorter wavelengths starting at around 650 nm, while the green type shows the same steady increase in absorption, but with an additional absorption band in the infrared (IR). The IR band is attributed to an electron-acceptor state lying within the bandgap. ESR measurements of free Cu(II) ions in solution for all samples show the presence of Cu(II) in the brown amorphous samples, but not in the green or brown crystalline samples. Ultrafast dynamics of photoinduced electrons have been measured for all samples using femtosecond-transient absorption/bleach spectroscopy. In all brown Cu 2 S samples studied, the early time-transient profiles feature a pulse-width-limited ( 80 ps). These decay dynamics were found to be independent of pump power and stabilizing agent. The fast 1.1 ps decay is attributed to charge carrier trapping, while the long decay may be due to either recombination or deep trapping of the charge carriers. The green Cu x S samples studied showed interesting power-dependent behavior. At low excitation intensities, the green Cu x S samples showed a transient bleach signal, while at high intensities, a transient absorption signal has been observed. The increased transient absorption over bleach at high intensities is attributed to trap-state saturation. A kinetic model has been developed to account for the main features of the electronic relaxation dynamics.
A new approach to the design, fabrication, and testing of chalcogenide-based multi-state phase-change nonvolatile memory

A new approach to developing, fabricating, and testing chalcogenide-based multi-state phase-change nonvolatile memory (NVM) is presented. A test chip is fabricated through the MOSIS service. Then post processing, in the Boise State University lab, is performed on the chip to add the chalcogenide material that forms the NVM. Each memory bit consists of an NMOS access transistor and the chalcogenide material placed between the metal3 of the test chip, connected to the access device, and a common, to all memory bits, electrode. This paper describes the design of the memory bit and of the test structures used for reliability and radiation testing. Fabrication and post-processing of the memory are also discussed.
Second-line therapy with caspofungin for mucosal or invasive candidiasis: results from the caspofungin compassionate-use study

Objectives To prospectively assess the efficacy and safety of caspofungin as second-line therapy for mucosal or invasive candidiasis in patients enrolled in the caspofungin compassionate-use study. Materials and methods Thirty-seven patients with mucosal or invasive candida infections (17 oesophageal, four oropharyngeal and 16 invasive candidiasis) were enrolled in the caspofungin compassionate-use study. All patients were refractory to or intolerant of intravenous amphotericin B or lipid amphotericin formulation(s). Efficacy was assessed at the end of intravenous caspofungin therapy based on clinical (and, where appropriate, microbiological) response. Results HIV was the most common (91%) risk factor in patients with mucosal candidiasis; patients with invasive candidiasis commonly had acute leukaemia/lymphoma (50%) or diabetes mellitus (31%). Most patients with mucosal candidiasis (91%) and invasive candidiasis (94%) were refractory to >/=1 antifungal agent(s). A favourable response was noted in 82% (14/17) with oesophageal candidiasis, 100% (4/4) with oropharyngeal candidiasis and 87% (13/15) with invasive candidiasis. Caspofungin was generally well tolerated; one serious drug-related adverse event was reported. Conclusion In this study, caspofungin was an effective alternative for patients with refractory candida infections.
Adaptive Decision-Directed Quantized-State Algorithms for Multi-user Detection of CDMA Signals

The paper presents novel techniques for the multi-user detection of the CDMA signals wherein the communication channel may be a fading channel and the transmission from various users may be synchronous or asynchronous. The proposed architecture is based on a decision-directed approach and does not require any training sequence. The architecture involves a bank of matched filters whose outputs are input to an adaptive weighted combiner whose weight vector is determined by an adaptive algorithm. The class of algorithms investigated for the adaptation of the weight vector includes the well known recursive least squares (RLS), the least-mean square (LMS) algorithms, and the class of algorithms invented by the first author of this paper, and termed quantized-state (QS) algorithms. Various simulation results are presented in terms of the performance of the proposed architecture in both the fading and non fading environments showing performance close to that obtained in the multiple access interference free environment even when severe multiple access interference environment exists.
Distress reduction from a psychological intervention contributes to improved health for cancer patients

Abstract Purpose. Psychological interventions are efficacious in reducing emotional distress for cancer patients. However, it is not clear whether psychological improvements are, in turn, related to improved health. A clinical trial tests whether a psychological intervention for cancer patients can do so, and also tests two routes to achieve better health: (a) reducing patients’ Emotional Distress, and/or (b) enhancing their functional immunity. Methods. Post-surgery, 227 breast cancer patients were randomized to intervention or assessment only Study Arms. Conducted in small groups, intervention sessions were offered weekly for 4 months and followed by monthly sessions for 8 months. Measures included psychological (distress), biological (immune), and health outcomes (performance status and evaluations of patient’s symptomatology, including toxicity from cancer treatment, lab values) collected at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months. Results. A path model revealed that intervention participation directly improved health (p
Geographic variation in the life history of the sagebrush lizard: the role of thermal constraints on activity

Thermal constraints on the time available for activity have been proposed as a proximate mechanism to explain variation in suites of life history traits. The longer that an ectotherm can maintain activity, the more time it has to forage and the greater chance that it will encounter a predator and be eaten. Thus, the thermal environment may produce a trade off between growth and survival when variation in the environment favors increased activity. I used mark-recapture data from a demographic study of three natural populations of the sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) and estimates of thermal opportunity for each population to evaluate whether variation in the thermal environment can explain patterns of growth and survival that occur over an elevational gradient. Lizards from the highest elevation population exhibited higher individual growth rates than those of lizards from lower elevation, while mortality rates increased with elevation for these populations. The covariation of fast growth and high mortality with increased thermal opportunity is the opposite trend expected if the thermal environment alone is to explain patterns of life history in these lizards. Additional factors including thermal heterogeneity in the distribution of microhabitats of lizards, adaptation to local environmental conditions, and a potential trade-off between resource acquisition and predation risk need to be addressed to obtain a satisfactory explanation of the causative mechanisms producing life history variation.
Effects of season and population density on source-separated waste composts

A German federal law, enacted in 1993, requires that biogenic wastes be source-separated for re-use in most circumstances. This has resulted in the collection of over 4 million metric tons of biogenic waste per year, most of which is composted. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential to control and to optimize the chemical and physical properties of biogenic waste composts from suburban and urban communities during different seasons. Therefore, the composition of the biogenic waste stream in the City of Hamburg, Germany was determined and the chemical and physical properties of the resulting composts were analysed. The most dramatic differences were found for trace metals, especially in urban areas. Although some trace metals cannot be avoided, careful analysis of typical waste stream fractions can permit moderation of end-product contamination levels.