cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of the patient self-determination act: A comparison of nursing homes to hospitals

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) requires all health care facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds to provide information about advance directives and the right of patients to refuse medical treatment. Administrators of 155 nursing homes in the state of Georgia completed surveys to assess implementation practices employed to comply with the PSDA mandates, knowledge of the law, and perceived effects of the passage of the PSDA. Responses from nursing home administrators were summarized, reported, and compared to results obtained from Georgia hospitals. Important differences were discovered. Nursing homes routinely provide more types of information to residents and spend more time with residents explaining relevant information than do hospitals, but hospital administrators demonstrated better knowledge of the PSDA and state law than nursing home counterparts. The implications of findings regarding the implementation of the PSDA and its overall effectiveness are discussed.
Folylpoly-γ-glutamate Carboxypeptidase from Pig Jejunum: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND RELATION TO GLUTAMATE CARBOXYPEPTIDASE II

Jejunal folylpoly-γ-glutamate carboxypeptidase hydrolyzes dietary folates prior to their intestinal absorption. The complete folylpoly-γ-glutamate carboxypeptidase cDNA was isolated from a pig jejunal cDNA library using an amplified homologous probe incorporating primer sequences from prostate-specific membrane antigen, a protein capable of folate hydrolysis. The cDNA encodes a 751-amino acid polypeptide homologous to prostate-specific membrane antigen and rat brain N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase. PC3 transfectant membranes exhibited activities of folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase and N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase, while immunoblots using monoclonal antibody to native folylpoly-γ-glutamate carboxypeptidase identified a glycoprotein at 120 kDa and a polypeptide at 84 kDa. The kinetics of native folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase were expressed in membranes of PC3 cells transfected with either pig folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase or human prostate-specific membrane antigen. Folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase transcripts were identified at 2.8 kilobase pairs in human and pig jejunum, human and rat brain, and human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. Thus, pig folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase, rat N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase, and human prostate-specific membrane antigen appear to represent varied expressions of the same gene in different species and tissues. The discovery of the jejunal folylpoly-γ-carboxypeptidase gene provides a framework for future studies on relationships among these proteins and on the molecular regulation of intestinal folate absorption.
Effects of salinity on respiration and nitrogen excretion in two species of echinoderms

The 30-d survival limit of Eupentacta quinquesemita and Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is 12–13‰ S. The activity coefficient (1 000/righting time in seconds) of stepwise acclimated sea urchins declined from 16.3 at 30‰ S to 3.5 at 15‰ S. Oxygen consumption rates (QO2) of both species held at 30‰ S and 13°C were highest in June and lowest in December. During the summer, when environmental salinity is most variable in southeastern Alaska, the QO2 of both species held at 30, 20 and 15‰ S varied directly with salinity. Perivisceral fluid PO2 varied directly with acclimation salinity in sea urchins, but not in sea cucumbers. Perivisceral fluid oxygen content of acclimated sea urchins was significantly lower at 15 and 20‰ S than at 30‰ S due to reduced PO2 and extracellular fluid volume at the lower salinities. The QO2 of both species varied directly with ambient salinity during a 30-10-30‰. semidiurnal pattern of fluctuating salinity. No change occurred in the average QO2 of either species over a 15-30-15‰. semidiurnal pattern of fluctuating salinity. Sea urchin perivisceral fluid PO2 declined as ambient salinity fluctuated away from the acclimation salinity in both cycles and increased as ambient salinity returned to the acclimation salinity. Total nitrogen excretion of stepwise acclimated sea cucumbers declined significantly from 30 to 15‰ S, but there was no salinity effect on total nitrogen excretion in sea urchins. Ammonia excretion varied directly with salinity in stepwise acclimated sea cucumbers (67–96% of total nitrogen excreted), but there was no salinity effect on ammonia excretion (89–95% of total nitrogen excreted) of sea urchins. Urea excretion did not vary with salinity in sea cucumbers (2–4% of total nitrogen excreted) or sea urchins (2–9% of total nitrogen excreted). Primary amines varied inversely with salinity in sea cucumbers (2–30% of total nitrogen excreted), but did not vary with salinity in sea urchins (2–4% of total nitrogen excreted). The oxygen: nitrogen ratio of both species indicated that carbohydrate and/or lipid form the primary catabolic substrate. The O:N ratio did not vary as a function of salinity. Both species are more tolerant to reduced salinity than previously reported, however, rates of oxygen consumption and/or nitrogen excretion are modified by salinity as well as season.
ON A SUBFACTOR CONSTRUCTION OF A FACTOR NON-ANTIISOMORPHIC TO ITSELF

We define a ℤ3-kernel α on and a ℤ3-kernel β on the hyperfinite II1 factor R, which have conjugate obstruction to lifting. Hence, α⊗β can be perturbed by an inner automorphism to produce an action γ on . The aim of this paper is to show that the factor , which is similar to Connes's example of a II1 factor non-antiisomorphic to itself, is the enveloping algebra of an inclusion of II1 factors A⊂B. Here A is an interpolated free group factor and B is isomorphic to the crossed product A⋊θℤ9, where θ is a ℤ3-kernel of A with non-trivial obstruction to lifting. By using an argument due to Connes, which involves the invariant χ(ℳ), we show that ℳ is not anti-isomorphic to itself. Furthermore, we prove that for one of the generator of χ(ℳ), which we will denote by σ, the Jones invariant ϰ(σ) is equal to .
Copresence Revisiting a Building Block for Social Interaction Theories

Copresence, the idea that the presence of other actors shapes individual behavior, links macro- and micro-theorizing about social interaction. Traditionally, scholars have focused on the physical p...
Sizes of two bootstrap-based nonparametric specification tests for the drift function in continuous time models

We investigate the sizes of the bootstrap versions of the generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) test by Fan et al. [2001. Ann. Statist. 29, 153-193] and of the nonparametric model specification test by Li [1994. Discussion Paper No. 1994-1997, University of Guelph] and Zheng [1996. J. Econometrics 75, 263-289], henceforth the J"n test for the drift function in some continuous time models. Fan and Zhang [2003. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 98, 118-134] argued that the bootstrap-based GLR test is a powerful testing method for model specification of several one-factor continuous time models. However, if the sizes of nonparametric specification tests are unstable over a range of bandwidth values, it is difficult to judge the power of the test. Our simulation study shows that in some standard finite sample situations the bootstrap-based GLR test does not provide stable sizes over a grid of bandwidth values in testing the drift function of some continuous time models, whereas such J"n test usually does. Furthermore, we consider the wild bootstrap-based GLR test, inspired by the wild bootstrap approach used for the J"n test. The conclusion is that the modified method does not show much improvement on the stable sizes.
Bandwidth extension technique for polar modulated RF transmitters

A linear bandwidth extension technique that can overcome envelope path bandwidth limitations in polar modulation transmitters is presented. Experimental results show that the proposed technique can suppress intermodulation distortion due to envelope path bandwidth limitations by 18 dB up to 1 GHz for modulation bandwidths up to 500 kHz. This technique enables a low bandwidth supply regulator to be used with a high efficiency nonlinear RF power amplifier for wideband communication systems.
CRAWDAD: a community resource for archiving wireless data at Dartmouth

Wireless network researchers are seriously starved for data about how real users, applications, and devices use real networks under real network conditions. CRAWDAD, a Community Resource for Archiving Wireless Data at Dartmouth, is a new NSF-funded project to build a wireless network data archive for the research community. We host wireless data, and provide tools and documents to make it easy to collect and use wireless network data. We hope that this resource will help researchers identify and evaluate real and interesting problems in mobile and pervasive computing. This report outlines the CRAWDAD project, the kick-off work-shop that was held at MobiCom 2005, and the latest news. how real users, applications, and devices use real networks under real conditions, and how mobile users actually move about. This data helps us to identify and understand the real problems, to evaluate possible solutions, and to evaluate new applications and services.
Rabbit antibodies against the human milk sialyloligosaccharide alditol of LS-tetrasaccharide a (NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4GlcOH)

Abstract The sialyloligosaccharide, NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc (LS-tetrasaccharide a ), a minor component of human milk, is obtained in relatively large quantities from autohydrolysates of the major milk disialyloligosaccharide, NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-3[NeuAcα2-6]GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc (disialyllacto- N -tetraose). Rabbits immunized with an oligosaccharide-protein conjugate prepared from keyhole limpet hemocyanin and LS-tetrasaccharide a produce antibodies directed against the corresponding oligosaccharide alditol. The anti-LS-tetrasaccharide a sera bind 3 H-labeled LS-tetrasaccharide a in a direct-binding radioimmunoassay on nitrocellulose filters. The specificities of these antibodies are determined by comparing inhibitory activities of structurally related oligosaccharides. Strong hapten-antibody binding ( K a > 10 6 m −1 ) requires sialic acid linked α2–3 to the nonreducing terminal galactose residue of reduced lacto- N -tetraose (Galβ1-3GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc OH ). Specificities of antibodies prepared against keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates of LS-tetrasaccharide b (Galβ1-3[NeuAcα2-6]GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc) and LS-tetrasaccharide c (NeuAcα2-6Galβ1-4GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc) differ only slightly from rabbit antibodies prepared against the corresponding bovine serum albumin conjugates described previously [ D. F. Smith and V. Ginsburg (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255 , 55–59 ].
A new determination of the partial widths of the 16.11 MeV state in 12C

Abstract The partial widths of the second T = 1 state of 12 C, at 16.11 MeV excitation energy, have been determined by measuring the 11 B(p, γ) and 11 B(p, α) cross sections at the E p = 163 keV resonance corresponding to this state. These measurements result in the new values of Γ p = 21.7 ± 1.8 eV and Γ γ = 21.6 ± 3.3 eV, for the partial widths of this state; approximately 3 times smaller and larger, respectively, than the present values in the literature. The new result for the proton width eliminates a serious discrepancy found in an earlier comparison of the partial widths of the T = 1 analogue states of the A = 12 system. Measurements were also made of the 11 B(d, n) 12 C ∗ reaction to compare the proton widths of the 15.11 and 16.11 MeV T = 1 states; these measurements confirm the new, smaller proton width for the 16.11 MeV state. An attempt was also made to determine the γ-width of the 16.11 MeV state by measuring the γ-branching ratio in the 10 B( 3 He, p) 12 C ∗ (γ) 12 C reaction.
Ultrasonic field modeling in plates immersed in fluid

Abstract Distributed Point Source Method (DPSM) is a semi-analytical technique that can be used to calculate the ultrasonic field (pressure, velocity and displacement fields in a fluid, or stress and displacement fields in a solid) generated by ultrasonic transducers. So far the technique has been used to model ultrasonic fields in homogeneous and multilayered fluid structures, and near a fluid–solid interface when a solid half-space is immersed in a fluid. In this paper, the method is extended to model the ultrasonic field generated in a homogeneous isotropic solid plate immersed in a fluid. The objective of this study is to model the generation of guided waves in a solid plate when ultrasonic beams from transducers of finite dimension strike the plate at different critical angles. DPSM results for a solid half-space problem are compared with the finite element predictions to show the superiority of the DPSM technique. The predicted results are also compared with the experimental visualization of the mode patterns of Lamb waves propagating in a glass plate obtained from stroboscopic photoelastic method. Experimental and theoretical results show good qualitative agreement. The DPSM technique is then applied to study the mode patterns in aluminum plates immersed in water.
Going Out on a Limb in an Underdeveloped Branch of Objectification Research

This paper comments on Heflick and Goldenberg (2010) and examines the evidence cited to support their claim that the objectification of Sarah Palin undermined her performance and voters’ perceptions of her competence. Drawing on evidence related to U.S. media and U.S. political elections, I discuss the conflicting images of Sarah Palin and how they may have contributed to a greater focus on her appearance. I review evidence of how Sarah Palin and other female political candidates have been treated by the media and conclude the evidence for objectification by the media is weak. While the experimental evidence of the objectification of Sarah Palin is intriguing, it does not eliminate plausible alternative explanations for judgments of her competence. Particular attention is paid to the problem of operationally defining objectification, whether in analyses of the media or in laboratory studies. More empirical research on the objectification of others is encouraged, and directions for future experimental research in this area are discussed.
Phosphate concentration and transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells: Effect of sodium

The effects of extracellular Pi and Na+ on cellular Pi concentration and transport were studied. Steady-state Pi exchange flux was measured by 32P uptake in the presence and absence of Na+. Model experiments were also conducted to assess the possibility that hydrolysis of organic phosphate esters contributes to the chemically measured intracellular Pi concentration of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The results of these experiments indicate that hydroloysis of labile organic phosphate esters does not contribute to the measured intracellular pool of Pi. The Pi transport system exhibits an apparent Ks of 0.115 mM Pi and a maximal flux of 1.73 mmole min−1 (kg dry wt)−1. When incubated in a phosphate-buffered choline chloride medium (5 mM Pi) the intracellular Pi and the Pi influx fall by 65 and 88%, respectively. At 5 mM extracellular Pi, the Na+-dependent component of Pi transport fits Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the maximal flux equal to 2.46 mmole min−1 (kg dry wt)−1 and an apparent Ks of 35.4 mM Na+. In addition, a Na+-independent component of Pi transport, comprising about 12% of the total Pi flux, was identified. The data support the hypothesis that a Pi transport system, dependent on Na+, plays a principal role in the maintenance of intracellular Pi concentration.
Reading Replay in “Live” Television Text

On Sundays I find myself settled into a comfortable chair and Kyle, my 21-year-old son, stretched out on the couch, both of us ready to enjoy a day of “live” sports on our color TV. He is likely to be in possession of two favorite items: a piece of double crust pizza with mushrooms and the remote control channel switcher. Simultaneously, and with an equal degree of ease, he can eat pizza with one hand and play the switcher keyboard with the other. On this particular Sunday, i t is midway into an NCAA college basketball game, and while the CBS announcers are making their half-time predictions about game-winning strategies the two opposing coaches are likely to employ during the remaining period of play, Kyle decides he will switch to another sports event. In milliseconds the switcher transports us to professional big-time wrestling where an interview is in progress. The interview is “live”; we know this because the word LIVE is superimposed in the upperleft corner of the screen. Kyle and I, big-time wrestling devotees, are thoroughly familiar with television’s method of showcasing professional wrestlers scheduled for future matchups; in this particular “promo” for next week’s wrestling attraction, a beefy figure called Jimmy Superfly Snuka, wearing a jungle outfit, shouts threats and insults to an absent adversary-Rowdy Roddy Piper. Snuka alternately rages either in the direction of the camera or at a poker-faced commentator, Lord Alfred, decked out in a tuxedo; in a world of television wrestling, Snuka’s performance warrants tuxedo formality. Suddenly, via replay:
Rotationally invariant texture segmentation using directional wavelet-based fractal dimensions

In this paper we introduce a feature set for texture segmentation, based on an extension of fractal dimension features. Fractal dimension extracts roughness information from images considering all available scales at once. In this work a single scale is considered at a time so that textures that do not possess scale invariance are sufficiently characterized. Single scale features are combined with multiple scale features for a more complete textural representation. Wavelets are employed for the computation of single and multiple scale roughness features due to their ability to extract information at different resolutions. Features are extracted at multiple directions using directional wavelets, and the feature vector is finally transformed to a rotational invariant feature vector that retains the texture directional information. An iterative K-means scheme is used for segmentation. The use of the roughness feature set results in high quality segmentation performance. The feature set retains the important properties of fractal dimension based features, namely insensitivity to absolute illumination and contrast.
Corticosterone impairs hippocampal neuronal calcium regulation — possible mediating mechanisms

Corticosterone (CORT), the predominant glucocorticoid of rats which is secreted during stress, increases hippocampal neuronal vulnerability to excitotoxins, hypoxia-ischemia, and hypoglycemia in an energy-dependent manner. A mechanism for this endangerment could be the CORT-induced impairment of hippocampal neuronal calcium regulation. We have shown that CORT causes an energy-dependent prolonged elevation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in response to kainic acid stimulation in cultured hippocampal neurons. That study utilized the calcium-sensitive dye fluo-3, which is unsuitable for determination of basal [Ca2+]i. The present study circumvents that limitation by using the dye fura-2 AM. We have replicated the previous demonstration that CORT potentiates the [Ca2+]i response to KA; we have also observed that CORT elevates basal [Ca2+]i concentrations. Furthermore, we have observed that the mechanism for this CORT impairment of calcium regulation involves a reduction in stimulus-induced calcium efflux. Energy-dependent disruptions in neuronal calcium regulation, such as induced by CORT, have been associated with subsequent neurotoxicity. Thus, the CORT-induced impairment of hippocampal neuronal calcium regulation could be the mechanism for the neuronal vulnerability and toxicity evident following CORT treatment and stress.
Release of β-glucuronidase as a quantitative assay of murine viral hepatitis injury in cultured cells

Abstract A method is described for quantitating cytopathic effects (CPE) by the enzymatic assay of β-glucuronidase in tissue cultures of NCTC-1469 cells following infections with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-A59 or MHV-S). The results indicate that the injurious effects of viruses upon susceptible cells are reflected not only by morphological alterations in the cell sheet, but also by the quantitative redistribution of β-glucuronidase among the various components (cells, debris and medium) of the culture system. Following viral injury there is a progressive decrease in enzyme activity in the medium fraction (cellular debris plus solubilized enzyme). A direct relationship between the increase in medium enzyme activity and the severity of CPE was demonstrated. Subtle evidence of cell injury, not casily demonstrable by microscopic evaluation, could be determined by β-glucuronidase assay. Therefore, the enzymatic assay of tissue cultures following infection with cytopathic viruses provides a more objective, sensitive and quantitative means of evaluating the extent of viral injury in monolayer cultures than microscopic grading of cytopathogenic effects.
Improved Weizsäcker-Williams Method and Its Application to Lepton and W-Boson Pair Production

A Weishcker-Williams method is derived which handles the elastic and inelastic target form factors properly. The method is applied to calculate energy-angle distributions of photoproduced lepton pairs: electrons, muons, and heavy leptons, using target form factors appropriate to each case. The agreement with the exact result is found to be excellent. Simple formulas for pair production of spin-0 and spin-1 particles are also given. (auth)
Flow directs surface-attached bacteria to twitch upstream.

Bacteria inhabit a wide variety of environments in which fluid flow is present, including healthcare and food processing settings and the vasculature of animals and plants. The motility of bacteria on surfaces in the presence of flow has not been well characterized. Here we focus on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen that thrives in flow conditions such as in catheters and respiratory tracts. We investigate the effects of flow on P. aeruginosa cells and describe a mechanism in which surface shear stress orients surface-attached P. aeruginosa cells along the flow direction, causing cells to migrate against the flow direction while pivoting in a zig-zag motion. This upstream movement is due to the retraction of type IV pili by the ATPase motors PilT and PilU and results from the effects of flow on the polar localization of type IV pili. This directed upstream motility could be beneficial in environments where flow is present, allowing bacteria to colonize environments that cannot be reached by other surface-attached bacteria.
Phosphodiester Alkylation with a Quinone Methide.

Despite the wide array of studies involving DNA alkylation and cleavage with quinone methide generating compounds, there have been no reports on the alkylation of phosphodiesters with quinone methides. We have investigated the reaction of dialkyl phosphates with a p-quinone methide in order to determine the potential for alkylation to produce trialkyphosphates. These studies have revealed that a phosphodiester can be alkylated with a p-quinone methide when promoted by a Bronsted acid. The role of the Bronsted acid is to sufficiently activate the p-quinone methide to allow phosphodiester addition to occur. The alkyl substituents of the phosphodiester have been found to effect the reactivity of the dialkyl phosphate under the reaction conditions examined. Equilibrium conversions up to 83% trialkyl phosphate formation have been achieved.
Computer Modelling Antibiotic Therapy Costs

Computer modelling techniques were used to examine the economic consequences of intravenous chemotherapy of serious infection. Acquisition cost of the drug was found to be a poor predictor of global cost, since inclusion of the preparation and administration costs and projected laboratory and drug complication costs narrow, or even reverse, apparent cost differentials between drugs. Thus, the costs per day for acquisition/total treatment (in US dollars) are: penicillin $5/$30, gentamicin $1/$46, amikacin $26/$63, clindamicin $38/$57, metronidazole $12/$20 and cefotaxime $47/$60. ‘Triple therapy’ involving gentamicin ($0.40/dose) resulted in higher hospital costs than the equivalent regimen involving cefotaxime ($16/dose). Even when the purchase price is high, humanitarian considerations advocate the use of safe, predictable, efficacious drugs. Fortunately, the present analysis suggests that such drugs frequently result in the lowest total treatment cost. Current cost containment efforts that are based on acquisition costs only are flawed and may result in both suboptimal care and higher actual costs.
Structure and function of membrane rafts

Lipids do not always mix uniformly in membranes, but can cluster to form microdomains. We will consider one type of microdomain that can form in cell membranes. These are enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids, and are referred to as rafts. Rafts probably exist in membranes in the liquid-ordered phase or a phase with similar properties. We will briefly review membrane lipid phase behavior, and the differences between liquid-crystalline, liquid-ordered, and gel-phase membrane bilayer domains. We will present evidence suggesting that phospholipid-rich, liquid-crystalline phase domains and sphingolipid-rich, liquid-ordered phase domains (rafts) can exist in equilibrium in biological membranes, especially the plasma membrane. Preferential partitioning of membrane proteins into rafts can affect function. Among the proteins that are targeted to rafts are those anchored in the outer leaflet of the membrane through covalent attachment to a special glycolipid, glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI). Other proteins that are linked to saturated acyl chains, such as those that are directly acylated with two or more palmitate chains, or a palmitate and a myristate chain, are also targeted to rafts. Targeting of GPI-anchored proteins and other proteins to rafts plays a role in signal transduction in hematopoietic cells, and possibly also in sorting in intracellular membranes and regulation of cell-surface proteolysis in other mammalian cells.
The development and testing of intravenous dosing regimens: application to flecainide for the suppression of ventricular arrhythmias.

A two-part pharmacokinetic approach was used to prospectively develop and test intravenous flecainide infusion regimens for the acute therapy for ventricular arrhythmias. Initially, each of nine known responders to oral flecainide was given a rapid flecainide infusion to characterize pharmacokinetic parameters and determine the minimum effective concentration for each patient. These data were used to calculate individually appropriate three-stage flecainide infusions of predetermined durations in eight patients. The three-stage infusions (0.15 ± 0.02 mg flecainide acetate/kg/min for 5 minutes, 0.046 ± 0.004 mg/kg/min for 60 minutes, and 0.31 ± 0.05 mg/kg/hr for 5 to 47 hours; mean ± SE) resulted in 95% ± 0.1% suppression of ventricular ectopic depolarizations. Based on these results, six additional patients received a uniform infusion regimen (0.1 mg/kg/min for 5 minutes, 0.025 mg/kg/min for 2 hours, and 0.25 mg/kg/hr for 46 hours). Supplemental doses of 0.25 mg/kg were given (four doses per patient). With this protocol, ventricular ectopic depolarizations were 82.6% ± 8.5% suppressed. Measured plasma flecainide concentrations were not significantly different from those predicted by pharmacokinetic models. A prompt and sustained antiarrhythmic effect was obtained with an intravenous regimen of flecainide determined by a prospective pharmacokinetic approach. However, the dosages developed in this study may have to be modified for patients with impaired cardiac or renal function. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1988) 43, 499–508; doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.65
Toward Identifying the Determinants of Public-Employee Unions' Involvement in Political Activities

Public-employee unions' political activities directly affect collective bargaining outcomes, yet we know little about the determinants of such activities. In this paper, we present a model that specifies public-employee unions' political activities to be a function of organizational characteristics of cities, institutional features of labor management relations, and various environmental factors. We tested the model using municipal-level data collected by the International City Management Association. The findings support several conclusions regarding public-employee unions' political activities. First, factors that determine unions' involvement in electoral politics differ from those that determine unions' involvement in legislative politics. Second, electoral political activities appear to be used as a complement to collective bargaining. Third, who serves as chief negotiator for a city significantly affects unions' participation in political activities.
Doubly excited resonances of the helium sequence associated with N=4 hydrogenic thresholds

Abstract Several lower-lying doubly excited resonances associated with N=4 hydrogenic thresholds for two electron atoms have been calculated using a method of complex rotation.
Trailblazing: A Hierarchical Approach to Percolation Scheduling

Percolation Scheduling (PS) is a system for performing parallelizing transformations for the VLIW and super-scalar cumputation models.
Hemorrhage in a Coccinellid Beetle and Its Repellent Effect on Ants

Special refinements of the bleeding mechanism of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, are described, and the defensive effectiveness of the mechanism against ants is demonstrated. Ants may have provided a major selective force in the evolution of the mechanism.
The affective filter and negotiated interaction: Do our language activities provide for both?

responses to them merit our attention. According to current second language acquisition (SLA) theory, a necessary (although not sufficient) condition for successful L2 acquisition is a "lowered affective filter" on the part of the learner (3). That is, in order for learning to occur, the learner needs to be in a state of anxiety-free relaxation. Some pedagogical literature has emphasized particular methods which incorporate approaches and activities that presumably lower the learner's affective filter and thus contribute to successful L2 acquisition. Among these methods are Lozanov's work on Suggestopedia, Curran's on Counseling Learning/Community Language Learning, and Krashen and Terrell's on the Natural Approach. Again according to current SLA theory, a condition that is both necessary and sufficient for successful L2 acquisition is that of negotiated interaction (6; 7). That is, L2 acquisition will not occur unless the learner is provided with ample opportunity to negotiate meaning in relevant and appropriate conversational exchanges. Recent research studies have focused on identifying classroom activities which provide maximum opportunity for negotiated interaction. Among those activities are small group work and dyadic exchanges, particularly those which incorporate two-way information gap questions-that is, activities in which each interlocutor has information the other needs (2; 5; 8; 10). If we accept that both lowered affective filters and negotiated interaction are necessary conditions for L2 acquisition, it behooves us to determine the correlation between the degree of interaction afforded by specific classroom activities and the learner's level of comfort with those activities. In other words, are the activities which best foster negotiated interaction also those which result in a lowered affective filter
Long-term effects of radiotherapy administered in childhood for the treatment of malignant diseases.

Background: The use of radiotherapy for the treatment of childhood malignancy has improved long-term survival significantly, and many treated children now survive well into adulthood. As a consequence, long-term effects of childhood irradiation are being seen with increasing frequency. Methods: The medical records of 236 patients who had been treated for malignant disease with radiotherapy during childhood were examined to determine the long-term effect of the radiation on their growth and development. Results: Mean treatment dose was 35.5 Gy; mean age at treatment was 7.2 years; and mean follow-up was 14.5 years. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 82%. Some degree of bone deformity (usually with overlying soft-tissue hypoplasia) was seen in 40%; 21% developed some type of endocrine deficiency; 30% developed atrophic skin changes; and 7% developed second malignancies. The incidence of bone deformity and hormonal deficiency increased with the radiation dose; the incidence of second malignancy was independent of dose. Bone deformities were more common when radiation was administered before the age of 2 years. Conclusions: The consequences of radiotherapy in childhood are significant and must be considered when planning treatment. Even when treatment is essential, families should be informed of the possibility of growth disturbance to prevent subsequent misunderstanding.
The Antarctic cryptoendolithic ecosystem - Relevance to exobiology

Cryptoendolithic microorganisms in the Antarctic desert live inside porous sandstone rocks, protected by a thin rock crust. While the rock surface is abiotic, the microclimate inside the rock is comparatively mild. These organisms may have descended from early, pre-glaciation Antarctic life forms and thus may represent the last outpost of life in a gradually deteriorating environment. Assuming that life once arose on Mars, it is conceivable that, following the loss of water, the last of surviving organisms withdrew to similar insulated microenvironments. Because such microscopic pockets have little connection with the outside environment, their detection may be difficult. The chances that the Viking lander could sample cryptoendolithic microorganisms in the Antarctic desert would be infinitesimal.
A tyrosine-based sorting signal regulates intracellular trafficking of protease-activated receptor-1: multiple regulatory mechanisms for agonist-induced G protein-coupled receptor internalization.

Abstract Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for thrombin, is irreversibly proteolytically activated, internalized, and then sorted to lysosomes and degraded. Internalization and lysosomal sorting of activated PAR1 is critical for termination of receptor signaling. We previously demonstrated that activated PAR1 is rapidly phosphorylated and internalized via a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent pathway that is independent of arrestins. Toward understanding the mechanisms responsible for activated PAR1 internalization through clathrin-coated pits we examined the function of a highly conserved tyrosine-based motif, YXXL, localized in the cytoplasmic carboxyl tail of the receptor. A mutant PAR1 in which tyrosine 383 and leucine 386 were replaced with alanines (Y383A/L386A) was significantly impaired in agonist-triggered internalization and degradation compared with wild-type receptor. In contrast, constitutive internalization, and recycling of unactivated PAR1 Y383A/L386A mutant was not affected, suggesting that tonic cycling of the mutant receptor remained intact. Strikingly, a PAR1 C387Z truncation mutant in which the YXXL motif was exposed at the C terminus constitutively internalized and degraded in an agonist-independent manner, whereas C387Z truncation mutant in which the critical tyrosine and leucine were mutated to alanine (C387Z-Y383A/L386A) failed to internalize. Inhibition of PAR1 C387Z mutant constitutive internalization with dominant-negative K44A dynamin blocked agonist-independent degradation of the mutant receptor. Together these findings strongly suggest that internalization of activated PAR1 is controlled by multiple regulatory mechanisms involving phosphorylation and a highly conserved tyrosine-based motif, YXXL. This study is the first to describe a function for a tyrosine-based motif, YXXϕ, in GPCR internalization and reveal novel complexities in the regulation of GPCR trafficking.
Application of Pulse Compression Techniques to Medical Ultrasound

The application of pulse compression to medical ultrasound is discussed. This approach can decrease peak power and increase sensitivity in ultrasonic diagnosis. A prototype system with 8:1 compression ratio and 0.6 is resolution is described. Compressed echo wave-forms were obtained from an aluminum bar and from a human heart in vivo.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A new technique for layered earth magnetotelluric inversion

A new one‐dimensional (1-D) inverse method for layered‐earth interpretation of magnetotelluric (MT) response curves is based on the method of Schmucker (1972). It involves transforming the E over B response into a nondimensional complex logarithm response, computing the partial derivatives from a new algorithm for the logarithm response, and iteratively solving (by damped least squares) for the logarithm of the conductivity contrast between layers. Error bars for the layer conductivities are estimated by a simple application of propagation of errors assuming random and independent response errors. Backus‐Gilbert type smoothing kernels are also computed in order to specify the upper and lower depth limits on the conductivity model and to examine whether the layer conductivities are locally averaged values. The kernels are found to be an important aid in model interpretation and emphasize the fact that layer conductivities are averages. The method is illustrated using artificial and real data.
Adaptive staging and advancement of user-computer interaction skills in office environments

A research project has been initiated to study the design of powerful user-network interface systems which will facilitate user interaction but not constrain the user. That user is considered to be the office worker who is not a computer specialist. Our general approach is to utilize what is known from computer science and to blend that with relevant knowledge from psychology (especially learning theory) toward tailoring an intelligent, display-based workstation for the special needs of such office workers. More specifically, we are working on a prototype system which will assist and guide the user toward building up increasingly complex intellectual skills. We are not interested in superficial simplicity; instead we want the user to be able to advance his/her understanding of the technology by progressing through carefully structured stages of learning, encompassing the spectrum of very simple to very complex computer-aided tasks. Along the way, the system will provide special forms of adaptation (using expert systems techniques) as well as network-wide context (with supportive, parallel display channels).
Sintering and grain growth in nanocrystalline ceramics

Abstract Nanocrystalline ceramics have been produced by the method of inert gas condensation of ultra-small particles and in situ compaction. Sintering and grain growth characteristics have been investigated by a variety of techniques, including: X-ray diffraction, gravimetry, BET, scanning electron microscopy and small-angle neutron scattering. It was observed that the green body densities of these materials vary greatly with compaction pressure and temperature. Densities > 90% bulk density could be achieved without grain growth in TiO2 using pressure assisted sintering at ≈ 500°C. Grain growth studies showed that the grain size varied as t 1 3 . Moreover, the grain growth in dense materials was greatly accelerated compared to that in less dense material suggesting pore stabilization of grain size. Grain size could be partially stabilized by suitable doping or by pressure-assisted sintering. Correlations of grain size to various mechanical properties will be presented.
Recent RaD accomplishments at the Coastal Engineering Research Center Field Research Facility

The U.S.Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC), Field Research Facility, Duck, NC, provides the Corps of Engineers and the international coastal research community with the capability to conduct a wide variety of field R&D studies vital to the Corps' coastal engineering mission. Long-term, high quality engineering and oceanographic data are being collected to enhance knowledge of the temporal and spatial distribution of coastal forces. Short term comprehensive measurements are being made to develop an improved understanding of the natural processes important to coastal planning design, construction, operation and maintenance. Both data sets provide input for calibration and verification of analytical, numerical, and physical models. This paper describes the Facility and its capabilities for coastal engineering and oceanographic research. Results of studies conducted by CERC and numerous outside researchers are summarized. An overview of the accomplishments of a unique field research program of the Corps of Engineers is provided.
Journalistic standards in nineteenth-century America

In the early nineteenth century, critics believed the press was destroying social structure eroding law and order and the institutions of the family, religion, and education. To counter these effects they advocated, among other things, eradicating Sunday newspapers and subversive content such as news of crime, sex, and sporting events. Dicken-Garcia traces the relationship between societal values and the press coverage of issues and events. Setting out to tame the press by understanding it, she argues, critics had begun to dissect it. In the process, they articulated the rudiments of journalistic theory, and proposed what issues should be addressed by journalists, what functions should be undertaken, and what standards should be imposed. "
Stereocontrol in Intermolecular Dirhodium(II)-Catalyzed Carbonyl Ylide Formation and Reactions. Dioxolanes and Dihydrofurans.

Ethyl diazoacetate undergoes dirhodium(II)-catalyzed reactions with aryl aldehydes to form 1,3-dioxolanes as mixtures of diastereoisomers in good yields. Carbonyl ylides are reaction intermediates. Catalyst dependent diastereocontrol is observed for reactions with p-nitrobenzaldehyde, but not for those with p-anisaldehyde or benzaldehyde, so that at least with transformations involving p-nitrobenzaldehyde a metal-stabilized ylide is responsible for product formation. Higher yields are obtained with catalysis by dirhodium(II) carboxamidates than with the carboxylates. Diastereoselectivity in 1,3-dioxolane formation that occurs through the “free” ylide can be effectively controlled so that only one diastereomer is produced through the use of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl diazoacetate (BDA) or dicyclohexylmethyl diazoacetate (DCM). The thermodynamically least stable all-cis trisubstituted 1,3-dioxolane is the primary product from p-nitrobenzaldehyde “cycloaddition” to the metal-stabilized ylide. Reactions...
Uteroglobin mRNA and levels of nuclear progesterone receptor in endometrium

To investigate the mechanism of induction of uteroglobin by progesterone, the relationship between uteroglobin mRNA (mRNAug) activity and nuclear progesterone receptor levels has been examined in rabbit endometrium during early pregnancy. mRNAug activity was assessed by translation in vitro of poly A-rich endometrial RNA and immunoprecipitation of the synthesized peptides using anti-uteroglobin antibodies. Progesterone receptor was determined in purified endometrial nuclei by Scatchard analysis of the specific binding of 3H-R5020 under exchange conditions. mRNAug activity reached a peak on Day 4 of pregnancy and declined thereafter up to Day 8. Nuclear progesterone receptor levels showed a slight rise on Day 2, then returned to baseline levels. When mRNAug activity was high, progesterone receptor levels had declined. A cause-and-effect relationship between nuclear progesterone receptors and specific mRNA or protein synthesis remains to be established.
A New Shrimp of the Genus Lysmata (Decapoda, Hippolytidae) From the Western Atlantic

Description d'un crevette, Lysmata rathbunae n. sp., des eaux tropicales de l'Atlantique Nord occidentale.
Regulation of Flowering Time by Arabidopsis Photoreceptors

The shift in plants from vegetative growth to floral development is regulated by red-far-red light receptors (phytochromes) and blue-ultraviolet A light receptors (cryptochromes). A mutation in the Arabidopsis thaliana CRY2 gene encoding a blue-light receptor apoprotein (CRY2) is allelic to the late-flowering mutant, fha. Flowering in cry2/fha mutant plants is only incompletely responsive to photoperiod. Cryptochrome 2 (cry2) is a positive regulator of the flowering-time gene CO, the expression of which is regulated by photoperiod. Analysis of flowering in cry2 and phyB mutants in response to different wavelengths of light indicated that flowering is regulated by the antagonistic actions of phyB and cry2.
Rapid Real-Time MTF Measurements In A Field Environment

It was first shown by H. H.Hopkins that the optical transfer function can be directly measured by means of a shearing interferometer. With the advent of lasers in the past ten years, and the need for very high-quality optics both in the laboratory and in field environments, the interferometric technique appears to be ideally suited to single-wavelength measurements. Several laboratory-type interferometers have been described in the literature,2-'7 although in most cases these instruments were not suitable for either routine optical testing or for field use. More recently, a cornercube shearing interferometer was constructed for making MTF measurements on board a KC-135 jet aircraft.8 However, all these past instruments were relatively slow. Very rapid real-time OTF measurements are required in field environments. A new rapid-scanning interferometer has been developed, which requires no adjustments in use and is extremely stable, even in environments where large vibrations are encountered.
A trans-dominant mutation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp41 inhibits membrane fusion when expressed in target cells.

SummaryA recombinant vaccinia virus was used to express a mutation in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp120-gp41. In this mutant protein, the second amino acid in the N-terminal region of gp41 has been converted from a hydrophobic valine residue to the polar glutamate. When recombinant vaccinia viruses encoding wild-type HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein Infect a lymphocyte cell line lacking CD4, the cells express the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120-gp41 and are able to fuse with a CD44 T lymphocyte cell line. Cells expressing the mutant envelope glycoprotein are unable to fuse with CD44 T lymphocytes. When both viruses infect CD4− cells simultaneously, there is an inhibition of fusion to CD4+ cells with an increasing fraction of the virus encoding the mutated envelope glycoprotein. Interestingly, when the opposing, or CD4+ target cells are infected with the mutation-expressing virus, while CD4− cells are infected with wild-type envelope-expressing virus, a similar inhibi...
A multivariate model for growth of populations

Abstract The “random environment” concept is used to model the growth of several interdependent populations. The vital rates are assumed to follow a multi-variate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process; important properties of this process and of the integrated process (representing log of population growth) are developed. Application to a predator-prey situation is considered and a technique for the estimation of unknown parameters is developed.