cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Political Science Look at Political Science: APSA's First Four Elections

It has now been four years of contested elections for the Council of the Associ ation. In this note we ask: What can we learn about these elections from a politi cal science perspective?' In each election, there was a slate of eight candidates nominated by the APSA Nominating Committee to fill eight va cancies. There were also one or two can didates nominated by a petition of APSA members. These candidates nominated by petition emerged from the "Perestroika" movement, which has advocated opening up the APSA Council by filling its va cancies through competitive elections. Eligible members of the APSA were pro vided access to a web site where they could cast up to eight votes, with no more than one vote per candidate. Each candidate's vote totals were then tallied and the top eight finishers declared elected to the Council. The descriptive evidence displayed in Table 1 makes the point that there is considerable variation in vote totals, which implies that a siz able number of members are making their own, individual choices for whom to vote, rather than just following the recommended slate put forth by the Nominating Committee or another enti ty.2 In this note we explore some of the candidate-specific factors that ex plain the variation in the vote shares of the candidates running for a Council seat. This variability in vote totals across candidates suggests that more members pick and choose from the list of candi dates than one might expect a priori. Some of this picking and choosing might take the form of "bullet voting" or "plumping." The aggregate evidence
Galileo probe forebody flowfield predictions during Jupiter entry

This paper presents forebody flowfield solutions for Jupiter entry conditions where the ablation injection rate is coupled with the surface heating rate. The calculations are made with a time-dependent viscous-shock-layer analysis where the flow is assumed to be in chemical equilibrium. The results obtained demonstrate how variations in various properties influence the calculations and how recent modifications in probe forebody heatshield design influence the heating and mass-loss conditions for Jupiter entry. The heatshield mass-loss rates are shown to decrease when the new radiative and thermodynamic property values are used as well as when the nose bluntness is reduced. Also, the inclusion of a finite surface reflectivity reduces the mass loss whereas spallation increases the mass loss by about 6 percent. Finally, the heating, mass-loss, and flowfield structure characteristics are described for a 335-kg probe as it enters the atmosphere of Jupiter.
Autophagy Links Inflammasomes to Atherosclerotic Progression

We investigated the role of autophagy in atherosclerosis. During plaque formation in mice, autophagic markers colocalized predominantly with macrophages (mφ). Atherosclerotic aortas had elevated levels of p62, suggesting that dysfunctional autophagy is characteristic of plaques. To determine whether autophagy directly influences atherogenesis, we characterized Beclin-1 heterozygous-null and mφ-specific ATG5-null (ATG5-mφKO) mice, commonly used models of autophagy haploinsufficiency and deficiency, respectively. Haploinsufficent Beclin-1 mice had no atherosclerotic phenotype, but ATG5-mφKO mice had increased plaques, suggesting an essential role for basal levels of autophagy in atheroprotection. Defective autophagy is associated with proatherogenic inflammasome activation. Classic inflammasome markers were robustly induced in ATG5-null mφ, especially when coincubated with cholesterol crystals. Moreover, cholesterol crystals appear to be increased in ATG5-mφKO plaques, suggesting a potentially vicious cycle of crystal formation and inflammasome activation in autophagy-deficient plaques. These results show that autophagy becomes dysfunctional in atherosclerosis and its deficiency promotes atherosclerosis in part through inflammasome hyperactivation.
Terror mandated by god

Religion's renewed political presence on a global scale is often accompanied by violence ‐ in part because of the nature of religion and its claims for power over life in death; in part due to the nature of secular politics, which places its own legitimacy on the currency of weapons and can only be challenged successfully on a military level; and in part due to the nature of political violence. The symbolic power of violence can be a valuable commodity for religious as well as for political forces. Through violence, the proponents of a religious ideology like Aum Shinrikyo remind the populace of the godly power that makes their ideology potent, and at times religious activists create man‐made incidents of terror on God's behalf.
Chemical Reactivity of Avian and Mammalian Hæmoglobins of Different Ages

THE structural alteration of mammalian haemoglobin on ageing in vivo is evidenced by the accelerated electro-phoretic mobility of older haemoglobin1 and its changed chromatographic behaviour2. Hybridization investigations have shown the variant chain in old haemoglobin to be the β-chain3. A number of suggestions have been made as to the possible chemical nature of the modification4, the main one being that mixed disulphide formation with glutathione occurs5,6 as a consequence of the diminished enzyme activities present in older red blood cells.
Epidemiology of Pediatric Poison Exposures: An Analysis of 2003 Poison Control Center Data

Persons 19 years and younger were implicated in more than 1.5 million poison exposures reported to US poison centers in 2003. Peak poison exposure incidence occurred in 1- and 2-year-olds, and children younger than 4 years comprised 46% of reported cases. Outcome worsened with age, with 8.6 cases per thousand exposures having moderate, major, or fatal outcomes in children younger than 6 years compared with 115.3 cases per thousand exposures in teens. Only 10% of poison exposures in children younger than 6 years are managed in health care facilities; thus, calls to poison centers can potentially prevent large numbers of unnecessary emergency department visits. Poison center data have been used to identify product hazards and protect the public through repackaging, reformulation, relabeling, and banning. Recently implemented near real-time submission of poison center data nationally has enabled continuous data mining, generating alerts when outliers are identified that suggest a possible chemical/bioterrorism incident, an emerging public health problem, a new pattern of substance abuse, an unrecognized product hazard, or contamination of food or water.
Anelastic Deformation of a Thermoplastic-Matrix Fiber Composite at Elevated Temperature; Part I: Neat Resin Structure Characterization

This is part of a series of articles on the properties of a thermoplastic polyamide matrix [PACM-12, DuPont, poly(bis-4-4'-dicyclohexylmethane) n-dodecane diamide]/graphite fiber (AS4, Hercules) composite. The structural characterization of the neat resin by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction as a function of processing history is described here. PACM-12, considered a representative ther moplastic matrix polymer for advanced composites, as well as an engineering plastic, is partially crystalline (ca. 20%) under normal composite processing conditions, but can be quenched to a completely amorphous state. The complex DSC results are shown to result, at least in part, from the presence of a different crystal structure in slow cooled PACM-12 than in quenched, annealed or fiber samples, to a melting-recrystallization-melting pro cess during heating and to the effect of heating rate.
Mining Stack Exchange: Expertise Is Evident from Initial Contributions

Stack Exchange is a very popular Question and Answer internet community. Users can post questions on a wide variety of topics, other users provide answers, usually within minutes. Participants are not compensated for their services and anyone can freely gain value from the efforts of the users, Stack Exchange is therefore a gift economy. Users, however, do gain reputation points when other users " upvote" their questions and/or answers. Stack Exchange thus functions as a learning community with a strong reputation-seeking element that creates a valuable public good, viz. the question and answer archive. The incentive structure of the community suggests that over time, the quality of the product (viz., delivered answers) steadily improves, and furthermore, that any individual who durably participates in this community for an extended period also would enjoy an increase in the quality of their output (viz., the answers they provide). We investigate the validity of these widely held beliefs in greater detail, using data downloaded from Stack Exchange. Our analysis indicates that these intuitions are actually not supported by the data, indeed the data suggests that overall answer scores decrease, and that people's tenure with the community is unrelated to the quality of their answers. Most interestingly, we show that answering skill, i.e. getting high average answer scores, which is different than reputation, is evident from the start and persists during one's tenure with the community. Conversely, people providing low rated answers are likely to have done so from the start.
Aberrant methylation of liver DNA in rats during hepatotoxicity

Abstract Liver DNA of young adult male Fischer 344 rats given orally a necrogenic dose of hydrazine (60 mg/kg body wt) rapidly became methylated at the 7-position of guanine, and more slowly and to a lesser extent at the O 6 -position of guanine. The identity of 7-methylguanine from liver DNA of hydrazine-treated rats was confirmed by four high-pressure liquid chromatographic methods, in one paper chromatography system, and by ultraviolet absorption spectrometry. Similar evidence was obtained to support the identification of O 6 -methylguanine. Liver DNA isolated from rats given hydrazine and [ methyl - 3 H]methionine contained 7-methylguanine and O 6 -methylguanine which were labeled to a greater extent than was the parent base, guanine, suggesting that S -adenosylmethionine was the methyl source in the alkylation of DNA. Aberrant methylation of liver DNA was also observed in rats after administration of hepatotoxic doses of carbon tetrachloride and ethanol, indicating that the DNA methylation may be a nonspecific response to chemical injury to the liver.
Amount of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Risk of Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction

Purpose To investigate the shape of the relation between amount of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and myocardial infarction (MI) risk. Methods Data were from a case-control study in a Washington State health maintenance organization, 1986 to 2002. Participants had no prior cardiovascular disease and good self-reported health before selection. Telephone interviews asked 697 nonfatal MI cases and 3,397 control subjects about 26 types of LTPA. Models adjusted for age, sex, year, treated hypertension, family history of heart disease, smoking, alcohol, aspirin, race, retirement, income, and education. Results Some LTPA was reported by 90% of control subjects and 84% of cases. Compared with no LTPA, participation in LTPA was associated with lower risk of MI (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52, 0.86). Among active participants, LTPA time was associated with risk of MI (OR = 0.66 for high versus low quartile, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.86). Risk of MI decreased with increasing total or nonstrenuous LTPA time up to the median, beyond which we could not detect an association between LTPA time and MI risk. Conclusions Time engaged in LTPA, even nonstrenuous LTPA, was associated with lower risk of MI, and the shape of this relationship was nonlinear.
Two types of glomus cell in the rat carotid body as revealed by alpha-bungarotoxin binding.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated α-bungarotoxin (αBgt) was used to localize αBgt-acetylcholine receptor sites in the rat carotid body. Two types of glomus cell were differentiated on the basis of the staining of their plasma membranes by the conjugate: type A, devoid of staining or only partly stained; and type B, exhibiting staining over the entire cell surface. The parts of type A glomus and supporting cells stained were always in direct apposition to type B glomus cells. It is concluded that type B glomus cells are possibly the only cell types exhibiting specific binding sites of αBgt. Other morphological characteristics and quantitative studies indicated that the type A and type B glomus cells presented in this study were equivalent to those described in the rat carotid body by other investigators (McDonald & Mitchell, 1975). αBgt-HRP staining facilitated the observation of the distribution pattern of glomus cells in the parenchyma: type A glomus cells were arranged in groups and often showed polarity toward neural elements and sinusoidal capillaries; and clusters of type B glomus cells were frequently situated in a demilune-like fashion over groups of type A glomus cells. Because of differences in morphology, synaptology, αBgt-binding affinity, and polarity toward the blood vessels, we propose that type A and type B glomus cells in the rat carotid body represent functionally distinct cell types.
Building energy use compilation and analysis (BECA). Part B: Retrofit of existing North American residential buildings

Abstract BECA-B assesses the technical performance and economics of energy conservation retrofit measures. The data collected thus far represent measured energy savings and retrofit costs for over 65 North American residential retrofit projects. The samples size within each project ranges from individual homes to 33 000 dwellings participating in a utility-sponsored program. The median value of space heating energy savings is 24% of the pre-retrofit consumption. For fuel-heated homes, the median cost of conserved energy is $3.66/GJ, substantially less than the U.S. Average 1981 prices for purchased energy of $4.27/GJ for natural gas and $8.25/GJ for fuel oil. For ten of the eleven electric heat retrofits the cost of conserved electricity is less than the 1981 U.S. average price of 6.2¢/kWh.
Cross-user analysis: Benefits of skill level comparison in usability testing

This study presents a cross-user usability test approach and analysis technique that extends beyond merely identifying the existence of a usability problem to introducing an empirical basis for identifying the type of usability problem that exists. For experimental purposes, 60 users were tested with three levels of user-competency determined by experience in using: (1) computers, and (2) the tested application. Applying the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test to each test element provided statistical comparison between different experience levels. Analysis results between experience levels suggested which levels encountered usability problems. The authors demonstrate that statistical calculations of cross-user data can render empirical support for categorizing usability problems.
Light-induced phase shifts in mice lacking mPER1 or mPER2.

Three homologs of the Drosophila Period gene have been identified in mammals. In mice, these three genes (mPer1, mPer2, and mPer3) have distinct roles in the circadian clockwork. While products of mPer1 and mPer2 play important roles in the maintenance of circadian rhythmicity, mPer3 gene products are dispensable for rhythmicity. Several studies also implicate mPER1 and mPER2 in transduction of photic information to the core circadian clockwork. The phase-shifting effects of light were examined in mPER1-deficient and mPER2-deficient mice using T cycle paradigms, in which mice received 1 h of light per day at an interval of T hours. To assess phase delays, repeated exposure to 1 h of light per day at T = 24 was used. To assess phase advances, exposure to 1-h light pulses at T = 22-h intervals was used. The degeneration of rhythmicity in the mutant mice prevented assessment of a response in most cases. Nevertheless, clear examples of phase delays and phase advances were observed in both mPer1 and mPer2 muta...
The voltage-gated potassium channels and their relatives

The voltage-gated potassium channels are the prototypical members of a family of membrane signalling proteins. These protein-based machines have pores that pass millions of ions per second across the membrane with astonishing selectivity, and their gates snap open and shut in milliseconds as they sense changes in voltage or ligand concentration. The architectural modules and functional components of these sophisticated signalling molecules are becoming clear, but some important links remain to be elucidated.
Factors Modifying Risk of Bleeding in Patients with Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose Bleeding is a common problem in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) recipients. CF-LVAD patients can develop von Willebrand factor (vWF) dysfunction, however specific predictors of bleeding have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that vWF function, pump parameters, and platelet dysfunction are important risk factors for bleeding. Methods and Materials vWF analysis was performed before, and at multiple time points after device implant in 25 patients enrolled in the Vanderbilt Main Heart Registry who received a HeartMate II CF-LVAD. Platelet function (PFA-100) and VWF multimeric analyses were performed. Results All patients (84% male; 28% bleeders) had a reduction in high molecular weight multimers post-implant compared to pre-implant (•) (N - normal pooled plasma). Multimer reduction was similar in bleeders (°) and non-bleeders. [ figure 1 ] Ristocetin cofactor activity was 30% lower than vWF antigen, and PFA-100 ADP closure times were significantly prolonged for all patients post-implant, consistent with the abnormal vWF multimer pattern. Average pump speed was higher in bleeders at all time points. Conclusions The development of vWF and platelet dysfunction in conjunction with higher pump speeds may contribute to bleeding events in CF-LVAD recipients. Monitoring these hemostatic parameters may allow us to identify patients prone to bleeding.
A bottom-up method for developing a trait-based model of player behavior

Understanding player behavior through telemetry logs is an important yet unresolved problem. Interpreting the meaning of players' low-level behaviors over time is important due to its utility in (a) developing a more adaptive and personalized game experience, (b) uncovering game design issues, and (c) understanding the human cognitive processes in a gaming context, not to mention its use and application to learning, training, and health. In this paper, the authors describe a work in progress developing a quantified model of player behavior for interpreting telemetry data from a first-person roll-playing game (RPG). This kind of model constitutes a grammar that will allow us to make sense of low-level behavioral data to assess personality, decision-making, and other cognitive constructs through behavioral measures.
Pharmacotherapy of Co-Occurring Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders, common in patients with schizophrenia, can lead to poor outcomes. Here we review the literature on the use of antipsychotics in patients with co-occurring schizophrenia and substance use disorder as well as evidence for the use of adjunctive pharmacological treatments targeting substance use in these patients. We also discuss a neurobiological formulation suggesting that the cooccurrence of these disorders may be related to a dysfunction in the dopamine mediated brain reward circuitry. Typical antipsychotics do not appear to decrease substance use in this population. Randomized, controlled trials provide some support for use of the atypical antipsychotic clozapine for co-occurring cannabis use disorder, naltrexone and disulfiram for alcohol use disorder, and also nicotine replacement therapy, sustained-release bupropion and varenicline for tobacco use disorder. Nonetheless, data regarding treatment in patients with these co-occurring disorders are still limited, and many studies reported to date have been either underpowered or did not include a control condition. Further research is needed to evaluate optimal pharmacotherapeutic strategies for this population.
Inhibition of Pro-Apoptotic BAX by a Noncanonical Interaction Mechanism

BCL-2 is a negative regulator of apoptosis implicated in homeostatic and pathologic cell survival. The canonical anti-apoptotic mechanism involves entrapment of activated BAX by a groove on BCL-2, preventing BAX homo-oligomerization and mitochondrial membrane poration. The BCL-2 BH4 domain also confers anti-apoptotic functionality, but the mechanism is unknown. We find that a synthetic α-helical BH4 domain binds to BAX with nanomolar affinity and independently inhibits the conformational activation of BAX. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry demonstrated that the N-terminal conformational changes in BAX induced by a triggering BIM BH3 helix were suppressed by the BCL-2 BH4 helix. Structural analyses localized the BH4 interaction site to a groove formed by residues of α1, α1-α2 loop, and α2-α3 and α5-α6 hairpins on the BAX surface. These data reveal a previously unappreciated binding site for targeted inhibition of BAX and suggest that the BCL-2 BH4 domain may participate in apoptosis blockade by a noncanonical interaction mechanism.
The role of the chemical environment in frictional deformation: Stress corrosion cracking and comminution

The roles of chemically assisted crack and fracture propagation and chemically assisted comminution in frictional deformation are evaluated in this study. Double cantilever beam (DCB) crack propagation data are presented which show that the role of pH in chemically assisted fracture, and to a lesser extent the role of ionic concentration are important in stress corrosion cracking. Data on very slow crack growth and the stress corrosion limit are also presented. These data suggest that stress corrosion cracking may play an important role in compound earthquakes and in asperity breakdown in faults. The comminution literature is also reviewed in order to assess the role of chemically assisted comminution in frictional deformation. It appears that chemically assisted comminution may be important at low and high ionic strength because it may reduce the effective viscosity and the shear strength of fault gouge. At intermediate ionic concentration the role of pH, as an agent which enhances crack and fracture propagation, appears to be more important in reducing the coefficient of sliding friction.
Optical cavity for improved performance of solar receivers in solar-thermal systems

United States. Dept. of Energy (“Concentrated Solar Thermoelectric Power”, a DOE SunShot CSP Grant, under award number DE-EE0005806)
Kappa opioid receptor density is consistent along the rostrocaudal axis of the female rat spinal cord

Abstract Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) were immunocytochemically localized at four different levels of the spinal cord of normally-cycling female rats in estrus or diestrus. KOR labeling was primarily observed in fine processes and a few neuronal cell bodies in the superficial dorsal horn and the dorsolateral funiculus. Quantitative light microscopic densitometry of the superficial dorsal horn revealed that there were no significant differences in KOR densities among spinal segments C1–C2, T2, T13–L1, and L6–S1 in either the estrus or diestrus phases. These results suggest that the potential for KOR-mediated antinociceptive responses is consistent along the rostrocaudal axis of the female rat spinal cord.
Electron Microscopy: Cytology of Cell Fractions

It should be evident from this brief account that electron microscopy of thin sections is an invaluable asset in the study of fractions isolated by differential centrifugation. I have tried to indicate how the integrity of particles, purity of fractions, and the existence of new particles can be established through its use. I have also suggested the desirability of a common terminology for all cytology -classic, electron-microscopic, and biochemical. Some have expressed the opinion that neutral terms such as alpha, beta, and gamma membranes (59) are more useful than ergastoplasm, Golgi apparatus, and so forth. As helpful as such neutral terms may be in describing intracellular structures, they do not appear to me to substitute for historically rooted cytological names. Note added in proof: Since this article went to press there has appeared an important article by G. E. Palade and P. Siekevitz (60). These authors consider that the vesicles without granules found in the microsome fraction were "probably derived from the smooth surfaced parts of the endoplasmic reticulum." The latter were found to be continuous with the granule-studded membranes; "the two varieties of profiles represent local differentiation within a common system." The authors confirm the finding of Rouiller (18) and Novikoff et al. (7) of the dense bodies adjacent to the bile canaliculi and describe their presence in the microsome fraction as a "minor component."
The role of the spinothalamic tract in the plastic changes in somatosensory thalamus and cortex caused by inflammation

Dr. Guilbaud describes 15 years of work in her laboratory in which she and her colleagues examined plastic changes in the responses of neurons in the rat somatosensory thalamus and cerebral cortex following the induction of an inflammatory pain state, either by injection of Freund's adjuvant into the tail or of carrageenan into the hindpaw. The goals of this work included: a demonstration of changes in neural responses that parallel the development of hyperalgesia and allodynia in the inflamed area; a description of changes in response to stimulation of uninflamed areas that might help explain secondary hyperalgesia; investigation of the question of whether a specific joint pain system exists; and exploration of how altered joint input might dominate cortical responses atthe expense of other somatic inputs. I will elaborate on the first three of these from the perspective of experiments on primate spinothalamic tract neurons in my laboratory.
Adjunctive cancer chemotherapy in surgery of the colon and rectum.

Cancer cells can be recovered from veins draining tumors of the colon and rectum. It would appear that the presence of such venous emboli would affect adversely the surgical cure rate in colon and rectal cancer.
Calorimetric study of the order-disorder transformations in graphite-halogens

Abstract The first determination of the enthalpy and entrophy of transformation for the order-disorder transformations in graphite intercalation compounds is reported here. By using differential scanning calorimetry, the order-disorder transformation associated with the intralayer intercalate position ordering has been observed at 375 ± 2 K in graphite-Br2 and at 314 ± 2 K in graphite-ICl. The transformation temperatures show a strong dependence on the intercalate species but relatively little dependence on the intercalate concentration. The enthalpies of transformation are 108 ± 15 cal mol−1 bromine and 460 ± 50 cal mol−1 ICl for graphite-Br2 and graphite-ICl respectively. Moreover, for graphite-Br2 an endothermic peak at 277 ± 2 K has tentatively been identified with the order-disorder transformation associated with the intralayer intercalate molecular orientation ordering. The observed order-disorder transformations have all been found to be first-order transformations.
The geochemistry of black water in selected coastal streams of the southeastern United States.

Abstract An investigation was conducted in a watershed formed by the tributaries of the Little River in South Georgia to study the nature of the humic and inorganic fractions of black water, and their influence on stream water quality. Large amounts of black colored water were sampled during 1983 to 1984 according to streamflow pattern in December, March, June and September. Measurements of air and water temperature and dissolved oxygen were made at the gaging sites, whereas water analysis for conductivity, Cl, NO3‐N, NH4‐N, P, total N, and other macro‐ and microelements were conducted in the laboratory. Fulvic (FA) and humic acid (HA) were isolated from the water samples, and analyzed by infrared and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Suspended clay from the water samples were collected and determined by x‐ray diffraction analysis. The results showed that black water was characterized by low conductivity and low ion concentrations indicating satisfactory chemical quality. The Na content was half the amount of other r...
The effects of convective and wind-driven mixing on spring phytoplankton dynamics in the Southeastern Bering Sea middle shelf domain

Abstract Spring phytoplankton bloom conditions for the southeastern Bering Sea shelf were simulated with a coupled phytoplankton-nutrient-detritus model that received input from a physical mixed-layer model. The models captured the essential features of chlorophyll, dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration, and temperature fields during the spring bloom onset and progression in 1980 and 1981. In contrast to critical depth theory, the occurrence of a shallow mixed-layer depth and a period of low wind speed were not sufficient to trigger the spring bloom. In both years, the spring bloom onset occurred in response to the cessation of convective mixing during a period of increasing atmospheric temperature and decreasing wind speed. Differences between 1980 and 1981 post-spring-bloom characteristics, however, resulted from differences in water column stability, and wind speed variability and magnitude through time. Those factors affected the vertical distributions of nitrogen and chlorophyll, and, therefore, phytoplankton growth rate. A high degree of model accuracy was indicated by low average RMSE values for euphotic zone model variable values compared to data. This was a consequence of the dominant role that meteorological forcing had on variable fields and processes during spring 1980 and 1981, and the application of a physical model that was specifically designed to model vertical mixing processes.
The effect of anodic oxide coatings on the mechanical behavior of niobium and tantalum single crystals

Abstract The effect of anodic oxide films on the mechanical behavior of single crystals of niobium and tantalum was investigated. Near room temperature, oxide films cause an increase in strength, in the manner generally observed for face-centered cubic crystals. At lower temperatures, oxide films reduce the yield stress and its temperature dependence and cause serrated flow over an appreciable range of strains. When the oxide films are removed from specimens deformed at lower temperatures, the serrations disappear during subsequent deformation, and the yield stress increases rapidly to that of the uncoated material. A model involving generation and motion of edge dislocations from the oxide-metal interface is used to explain the results.
Hormones, neurosecretions, and growth factors as signal molecules for intercellular communication

Chemical signals, whether in the form of hormones, neurosecretions (neurotransmitters and neuropeptides), or growth factors and chalones are used to communicate information to cells at all stages of their life cycle. These signals inform the cells when it is time to progress through developmental change, when to change the rates of various activities (e.g. metabolism or contraction), and, in some cases, even when it is time to die. Throughout all of these interactive exchanges, the signal molecule itself carries no intrinsic message of a universal nature. The chemical identity of the signal molecule has meaning only for those cells competent to receive the signal (i.e. does it possess an appropriate receptor?). Moreover, it is the nature of the cell receiving the signal (itself the product of innumerable previous encounters with signals from other cells) that dictates the specific response that a particular signal will evoke. The signal emitted by the communicating cell only informs the target cell that it is time to act in a manner consistent with that signal. The majority of the discussion has been from the perspective of vertebrate organisms. Moreover, of necessity, the discussion has been general and superficial. The primary objective of the preceding discussion has been to underscore major similarities and differences existing among hormones, neurosecretions (neurotransmitters and neuropeptides), and growth factors as information-bearing substances used in communication among vertebrate cells. It should be realized that similar means of communication are employed by multicellular invertebrates, by plants, and even by single-celled organisms such as the protists and bacteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ectopic Cdx2 expression in murine esophagus models an intermediate stage in the emergence of Barrett's esophagus.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an intestinal metaplasia that occurs in the setting of chronic acid and bile reflux and is associated with a risk for adenocarcinoma. Expression of intestine-specific transcription factors in the esophagus likely contributes to metaplasia development. Our objective was to explore the effects of an intestine-specific transcription factor when expressed in the mouse esophageal epithelium. Transgenic mice were derived in which the transcription factor Cdx2 is expressed in squamous epithelium using the murine Keratin-14 gene promoter. Effects of the transgene upon cell proliferation and differentiation, gene expression, and barrier integrity were explored. K14-Cdx2 mice express the Cdx2 transgene in esophageal squamous tissues. Cdx2 expression was associated with reduced basal epithelial cell proliferation and altered cell morphology. Ultrastructurally two changes were noted. Cdx2 expression was associated with dilated space between the basal cells and diminished cell-cell adhesion caused by reduced Desmocollin-3 mRNA and protein expression. This compromised epithelial barrier function, as the measured trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of the K14-Cdx2 epithelium was significantly reduced compared to controls (1189 Ohm*cm2 ±343.5 to 508 Ohm*cm2±92.48, p = 0.0532). Secondly, basal cells with features of a transitional cell type, intermediate between keratinocytes and columnar Barrett's epithelial cells, were observed. These cells had reduced keratin bundles and increased endoplasmic reticulum levels, suggesting the adoption of secretory-cell features. Moreover, at the ultrastructural level they resembled “Distinctive” cells associated with multilayered epithelium. Treatment of the K14-Cdx2 mice with 5′-Azacytidine elicited expression of BE-associated genes including Cdx1, Krt18, and Slc26a3/Dra, suggesting the phenotype could be advanced under certain conditions. We conclude that ectopic Cdx2 expression in keratinocytes alters cell proliferation, barrier function, and differentiation. These altered cells represent a transitional cell type between normal squamous and columnar BE cells. The K14-Cdx2 mice represent a useful model to study progression from squamous epithelium to BE.
Sigma-2 receptor as potential indicator of stem cell differentiation.

Purpose The sigma-2 (σ2) receptor is a potential biomarker of proliferative status of solid tumors. Specific synthetic probes using N-substituted-9-azabicyclo [3.3.1]nonan-3α-yl carbamate analogs have been designed and implemented for experimental cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Vital Capacity and Congestive Heart Failure The Framingham Study

This report is concerned with an assessment of the utility of the vital capacity in anticipating the occurrence of congestive heart failure in susceptible persons before overt symptoms and signs. To this end, an examination of the relation of routinely measured biennial vital capacities to subsequent incidence of clinically overt myocardial decompensation over the next two years was undertaken. In 5209 persons so evaluated over an 18 year period it was found that risk of congestive heart failure varied over a 10-fold range in inverse proportion to their vital capacity (standardized for height) in persons still free of clinical evidence of myocardial decompensation. Also, among persons at high risk of failure (due to coronary disease, hypertension or rheumatic heart disease) chances of developing congestive failure were doubled in men with low vital capacities and tripled in women. Examination of the net contribution of vital capacity to risk of congestive failure revealed that a low vital capacity was ass...
210Pb activities in and fluxes to sediments of the Washington continental slope and shelf

Abstract Surface sediments of the Washington coast have 210Pb activites which average 104 ± 48dpm/g for submarine canyon and slope regimes and 18 ± 12dpm/g for the continental shelf regime. 210Pb sedimentary fluxes are also higher in canyons, averaging 18 ± 13dpm/cm2 per yr, compared to 5.2 ± 3.1 dpm/cm2 per yr for slope and 4.8 ± 1.8dpm/cm2 per year for shelf regions. These 210Pb activities and fluxes are 2–7 times greater than those reported for other coastal regions. Inputs from the atmosphere and the Columbia River are not sufficient to supply the 210Pb, but advection of seawater containing dissolved 210Pb produced in situ from 226Ra provides an input several times larger than the sedimentary fluxes. The sedimentary 210Pb flux is limited by scavenging reactions rather than by supply of dissolved 210Pb. Calculations of maximum biological uptake and fluxes of 210Pb and ‘selective’ chemical leaching experiments all show that the primary scavenging processes are due to hydrous Mn and Fe oxides rather than biological phases. The pattern of higher 210Pb depositional fluxes in canyons than in nearby open slope areas of comparable water depth is most reasonably explained by enhanced scavenging of dissolved 210Pb near the sea floor, rather than by processes operating throughout the water column. Relatively rapid removal of dissolved 210Pb from the near bottom nepheloid layer to slope and canyon sediments is shown by its mean residence time of less than two years in this layer.
Infection of the red imported fire ant by Beauveria bassiana through various routes of exposure

Abstract The entomophagous fungus, Beauveria bassiana, is a potential biological control agent of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, but the best method of exposing the colony to the pathogen is unknown. Different application methods revealed that immersion of adult ants in a conidial suspension was more effective and practical than spraying. Although B. bassiana is capable of penetrating insect cuticle, there was little evidence that infection occurred by the penetration of the cuticle of most areas of the ant's body, with the exception of the tarsi and by oral routes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of conidia, many of which were germinating on the tarsi suggesting this as a possible site of penetration. Another route of infection was found through the use of conidia formulated in baits. Liquid baits containing conidia were more effective in causing mortality among workers, whereas solid baits containing conidia were more effective in causing mortality among brood. Through dissections, microscopic examinations, and the use of a culture method to reveal the presence of viable fungus, adult workers were found capable of filtering the conidia from liquid. While germinating conidia were found in the crops of large major workers that had ingested conidia-containing liquid baits, most workers filter out the conidia and place them in their buccal cavity, which appears to a source of fungal invasion. The contamination of soil with conidia did not cause the ants to abandon the soil as a nest media nor was increased ant mortality observed. Infected ants were removed by nest mates from the colony and placed on the refuse pile prior to possible fungal sporulation and where dry conditions further reduced sporulation. The removal of infected colony members prior to fungal sporulation and subsequent reduced sporulation may reduce colony reinfection.
Automaticity and the ACT* theory.

An explanation of automaticity within the framework of the Adaptive Control of Thought (ACT*) production system theory (Anderson, 1983, 1987) is presented. There is no automaticity mechanism per se in ACT*. This is as we would expect it to be. It would be the exception rather than the rule that we would find in a scientifict theory mechanisms that directly correspond to natural language concepts. The critical question is whether ACT* can give an account of the phenomena associated with the term automaticity. This article is structured as follows : First, I will try to identify the phenomena of automaticity to be explained, then give a brief overview of the ACT* theory, and finally explain how these phenomena of automaticity are to be understood in terms of the theory
Molecular cloning and analysis of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II from the chicken brain.

The goals of this study were to identify specific mRNAs for isoforms of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in chicken forebrain, prepare a cDNA expression library, and perform a sequence analysis of the kinase cDNA. Specific mRNAs for α- and β-subunits of the kinase were identified in Northern blots. The mRNA for the α-subunit is larger in the chicken than in the rat, and for the β-subunit is smaller in the chicken than the rat. Nucleotide sequencing of selected clones demonstrated the presence of an α-subunit with a 33 nucleotide insert known as the α-B-isoform. Clones of the β-subunit showed it to contain a deletion of six nucleotides relative to previously described sequences. Variability in the mRNAs of calmodulin kinase II, as shown here, reflect the presence of species-dependent variability in gene structure as well as the presence of different functional isoforms.
Surface and internal structure correlation: high-voltage and scanning electron microscopies of wholemount alveolar walls of human lung.

Summary We found that the high-voltage electron microscope (HVEM) operating at 1–5 MeV was able to transilluminate and form a focused transmission image of whole-mounts of alveolar walls from human lung, a tissue sufficiently thin to require no embedment and sectioning. Resultant micrographs resembled a composite of scanning and transmission electron microscope images: surface and internal structure of the alveolar wall were visualized in a single micrograph. Although the scanning electron microscope extracts some subsurface information in the secondary electron mode, the HVEM produced better images of both surface and subsurface features. Lungs were fixed, dehydrated, critical point dried, and metal coated as for conventional scanning electron microscopy, then individual alveolar walls were excised by hand and mounted on transmission electron microscope grids. Regions of the alveolar wall up to 10 μm thick were delineated with the high-voltage electron microscope. Cell surface characteristics were correlated with cell type as identified by underlying cell internal structure. Whole white blood cells within capillaries of the alveolar wall were identified by the configuration of their nuclei. Features of the nucleus and surface of alveolar type II cells were recorded simultaneously. Whole red blood cells were imaged within intact capillaries that branched and wove from one alveolar surface to the other. HVEM analysis of excised alveolar septa allows definitive correlation of surface and underlying structures in single micrographs of broad portions of the alveolar wall and is an alternative to embedment, microtomy and serial section reconstruction for this uniquely thin tissue.
A Low Level RF System for the Fermilab Tevatron

This paper discusses the design philosophy, hardware, and operation of the Fermilab Tevatron low level RF system. Plans to extend the system for colliding beams physics are also presented.
Prospects for Cellular Mutational Assays in Human Populations

Practical, sensitive, effective, human cellular assays for detecting somatic and germinal mutations would have great value in environmental mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. When available, such assays should allow us to fill the void between human mutagenicity and the data that exist from short-term tests and from mutagenicity in other species. We will be able to validate the role of somatic mutation in carcinogenesis, to identify environmental factors that affect human germ cells, to integrate the effects of complex mixtures and the environment in the human subject, and to identify people who are hypersusceptible to genetic injury. Human cellular mutational assays, particularly when combined with cytogenetic and heritable mutational tests, promise to play pivotal roles in estimating the risk from low-dose radiation and chemical exposures. These combined methods avoid extrapolations of dose and from species to species, and may be sensitive enough and credible enough to permit politically, socially and scientifically acceptable risk management.
Jejunal biopsy in the diagnosis of malabsorption syndromes.

This paper concerns the use of peroral jejunal biopsy in the diagnosis of malabsorption syndromes. Such biopsy reveals characteristic findings in the following diseases which may cause steatorrhea: sprue, amyloidosis, Whipple’s disease, lymphoma, a-beta-lipoproteinemia, and scleroderma.
Stochastic Darwinian equilibria in small and large populations

Abstract We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of stochastic Darwinian dynamics in quadratic games. Each player's strategy adjusts through mutation and selection shocks, and stability is independent of the rates at which these shocks arrive. Given stability, we characterize the midpoint of the nondegenerate ergodic distribution. In small populations, some equilibria correspond to relative payoff maximization, but others are unanticipated by existing static concepts. In the large population limit of a finite population, the set of stable Nash equilibria strictly includes all equilibria stable under myopic best reply, but some strict Nash equilibria are highly unstable. The stability result shows, for the first time, that large finite populations converge to Nash play even if they do not understand the game and strategies are so numerous that most are never played. The large population stability condition is related to risk dominance and, separately, to the static CSS condition.
Carbohydrates and increases in obesity: Does the type of carbohydrate make a difference?

With the prevalence of obesity increasing in the U.S. and elsewhere, the place of carbohydrates in the diet has recently been under closer examination. This has led to the development of methods for analyzing the effects of dietary carbohydrate. Primary among these methods is the glycemic index, a measure of a food's effect on blood glucose levels, which was initially designed as a method for determining suitable carbohydrates for people with diabetes. However, the glycemic index does not address other metabolic issues related to excess sugar consumption. Prominent among these issues is the use of low glycemic index sweeteners, particularly fructose, which is increasingly present in processed food. Fructose is associated with increased adiposity, which may result from its effects on hormones associated with satiety. Other methods of determining "good" carbohydrates have also been developed. The common theme among them is increased nonstarchy vegetables and higher-fiber legumes.
Linear Models with Spatially Distributed Data: Spatial Disturbances or Spatial Effects?

This article deals with linear models for which data have been aggregated over well-defined geographic areas. Such data may be generated by spatial processes, and these may be represented in the fo...