cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grain boundary cavitation in internally oxidized copper

Abstract A study has been carried out of the influence of the nature and distribution of grain boundary particles on the nucleation of cavities. Dilute alloys of copper with silicon have been internally oxidized to produce a material containing SiO2 particles. By using a variety of compositions and oxidizing temperatures a large range was obtained in the size and spacing of the particles. Specimens made from the oxidized material were subjected either to time-independent (creep) or to cyclic (fatigue) loading at elevated temperatures. Quantitative data on the early growth stage of cavitation were obtained from shadowed two-stage replicas of specimens subjected to high temperature deformation. It was found that voids invariably nucleate at the intersection of an oxide particle with the grain boundary. Over the entire range of deformation conditions used, either voids of a spherical cap shape or coalesced voids which individually had been of a spherical cap shape were observed. No evidence of crack-like growth was found. Voids do not appear to form on every grain boundary particle at the onset of deformation. For cyclic loading, voids tend to form on boundaries oriented for a large component of shear stress. The extent of cavitation is inversely proportional to the area fraction of the boundary covered by the oxides, suggesting that grain boundary sliding plays an important role in the nucleation of fatigue-induced voids. Most creep cavities are found on boundaries lying approximately transverse to the stress axis. The extent of cavitation depends strongly on the average edge-to-edge spacing between oxides but not on the area fraction of grain boundary oxides. These observations are consistent with a creep cavity nucleation mechanism assisted by dislocation pile-ups. Changing the shape of the grain boundary particles from ellipsoidal to spherical (by recrystallizing oxidized single crystals) or changing the interfacial energy (by alloying copper with titanium rather than silicon) alters the extent of cavitation in a manner consistent with theoretical predictions.
Irx7, a Smarca4-regulated gene for retinal differentiation, regulates other genes controlled by Smarca4 in zebrafish retinas

The iroquois 7 (irx7) in zebrafish encodes a homeodomain transcription factor (TF) in the retinal differentiation network regulated by smarca4, a component of chromatin remodeling complex. The function of Irx7 on retinal development has recently been revealed by antisense morpholino knockdown experiments. In particular, the normal expression of irx7 in the inner nuclear layer (INL) is essential for the differentiation of cells in the INL and the outer nuclear layer (ONL), as well as the dendritic projection of GCs into the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Irx7 also exerts its effect on retinal differentiation through activating the expression of TFs that specify various retinal cell types. However, the relationship between irx7 and the other Smarca4-regulated genes for retinal differentiation was not clear. This study reports an investigation of the regulatory role of irx7 on 13 genes including aanat2, barhl2, bhlhe22, cdh11, ckmt1, gnat1, irx4a, ndrg1a, nme2l, pbx1a, rcv1, robo2 and tfap2a. These genes were originally used in a study that characterized the cellular expression pattern of Smarca4-regulated genes and had a diverse expression pattern in the retina. Their expression in the normal wild-type (WT), Irx7-knockdown and the injection control embryos was characterized by in situ hybridization at 52h post-fertilization (hpf). This is the stage when irx7's expression level is the highest in the developing retinas. The results indicate that the expression of 11 of the 13 genes was reduced and one was overexpressed in the Irx7-knockdown retinas. Consistent with a previous report, one of these 13 genes was not expressed in the retina. Among the 12 Irx7-regulated genes, 11 had an expression change in the Irx7-knockdown retinas similar to that in the smarca4 retinas, indicating that Smarca4 regulates the expression of these 11 genes at least in part through irx7. Interestingly, bhlhe22 was only over-expressed in the Irx7-knockdown but not the smarca4 retinas. These observations suggest a different regulatory mechanism on bhlhe22 expression by smarca4 and irx7.
El chichon volcanic ash effects on atmospheric haze measured by NOAA7 AVHRR data

The increase of atmospheric haze caused by volcanic eruptive products, as measured by the NOAA7 advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) using visible (0.58–0.68 μm) and reflective infrared (0.725–1.10 μm) digital count data, was demonstrated. Prevailing nadir atmospheric transmission, measured on the ground at Weslaco, TX before the El Chichon volcano eruptions from 28 March through 4 April 1982, was 0.69 and afterward 0.62, a statistically significant decrease of 10.1%. The decrease of atmospheric transmission measured on the ground was significantly correlated (r2=0.53) with increases of NOAA7 AVHRR minimum digital count values (DCm) in the infrared band obtained over the Gulf of Mexico. The AVHRR DCm's in both visible and infrared bands ranged from 17 to 37 before as compared to ranges of 45 to 116 after the eruption.
Ultraviolet and volatility loss of herbicides.

Herbicide 2,4-D formulated as a urea-type “polymer” was readily destroyed by long-wave uv (356-nm) irradiation, whereas conventional 2,4-D was more resistant. The opposite relationship was noted for “polymeric” and conventional formulations of dicamba. “Polymerized” 2,4-D was more resistant to thermal degradation (60°C) than “non-polymerized” formulations. Ultraviolet degradation of “polymerized” 2,4-D was eliminated by the incorporation of RYLEX-H and UVINUL D-50, industrial uv absorbers. Exposure of “polymeric” dicamba to 60°C heat, followed by trapping of the volatile component, indicated that 21 percent was lost by thermal degradation and 46.6 percent by volatilization. Comparable values for “non-polymerized” dicamba were 37.9 and 60.1 percent.
A structural investigation of (ND+4)0.22(ND3)0.34 TiS0.22-2 by time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction☆

Abstract The structure of the intercalation complex (ND 4 + ) 0.22 (ND 3 ) 0.34 TiS 2 0.22- has been determined by Rietveld refinement of time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data taken at 298 and 12 K. This compound belongs to space group R3m, and the lattice parameters are a = 3.4170(3) A and c = 26.723(4) A at 298 K. No phase change was observed on cooling to 12 K. However, the c lattice parameter was observed to contract about 1.2%. Both ND 4 + and ND 3 occupy trigonal prismatic interlayer sites, with ND 4 + exhibiting random spherical disorder and ND 3 adopting a planar geometry. Two of the ND 3 deuterium atoms are hydrogen bonded to host TiS 2 sulfur atoms, whereas the third is found in the interlayer midplane and is not hydrogen bonded. The implications of this structure for the properties of such intercalation compounds is discussed.
Successful renal transplantation in patients positive for hepatitis B antigen.

Abstract We examined the effect of hepatitis B antigenemia on the outcome of renal allografts. Sixteen of 116 renal-allograft recipients were hepatitis antigen (HBs Ag) positive before transplantation. These HBs AG-positive patients had a graft survival of 60.3 and 30.2 per cent at one and two years. The mortality in the positive group was 18.9 per cent, and that in the negative patients was 19.8 per cent. The results of post-transplant hepatic tests in the two groups were similar. In seven other patients HBs Ag positivity was detected after transplantation. They did not differ from other patients with transplants in either hepatic or graft function. The mean period of post-transplant HBs Ag positivity was 16.5 months in this group of 23 patients. HBs Ag antigenemia acquired before transplantation or in the post-transplant period could not be correlated with hepatic dysfunction or poor graft survival. (N Engl J Med 291:62–65, 1974)
Regional contributions to airborne particulate matter in central California during a severe pollution episode

Abstract The externally-mixed source-oriented UCD/CIT air quality model was applied to determine the significance of inter-regional transport for primary and secondary particulate matter (PM) in California's Central Valley during a severe wintertime PM pollution episode from December 15, 2000 to January 7, 2001. The gases and primary PM emitted from eight different geographical sub-regions were tracked separately in a model simulation that included transport, physical and chemical transformation and deposition processes. The model results directly predict the contribution that each sub-region makes to PM concentrations throughout the entire model domain. The boundary layer was relatively stagnant during the simulated 3-week air quality episode, and no consistent transport pattern for primary PM was predicted. Several significant inter-regional transport events were identified that each lasted a few days. Each of these inter-regional events was characterized by transport of gas-phase precursors of nitrate that combined with local emissions of ammonia to produce particulate nitrate. Nitrate already in the particle phase was not transported efficiently due to higher dry deposition rates for particles relative to gas-phase nitrogen oxides. The distinctive pattern of transport for nitrate precursors reflects the relatively long timescales required to convert NOx emissions to nitrate during winter conditions characterized by low temperatures, weak photolysis rates, and low oxidant concentrations. The equilibrium partitioning of nitrate and ammonia to the particle phase is relatively fast once the nitrate has been produced. The most-likely transport distance for nitrate during the current episode varied from 130–140 km for the northern portion of the Central Valley to 50–60 km in the southern portion of the Central Valley. Sub-regions further south in the Valley have smaller transport distances because of slower wind speeds and the greater abundance of ammonia in these areas, leading to faster conversion of gas-phase reactive nitrogen into particulate nitrate, which has a higher dry deposition rate than the gas-phase species. The most-likely transport distance for primary organic compounds (OC) was found to be less than that for nitrate, varying from 50 to 60 km for the northern portion of the Valley to 20–30 km for southern portion of the Valley. Overall, 68% of the particulate nitrate formed in the most polluted sub-regions of the Central Valley originates from emissions in those same sub-regions. Local emissions controls should therefore provide an effective strategy to reduce airborne particulate matter concentrations to acceptable levels.
Distributed averaging in the presence of interference

Distributed algorithms, in general, assume that the information sent from a transmitter to a receiver reaches the receiver unharmed and unaltered. However, when the entire network engages in simultaneous such transmissions, it is likely that the intended transmission incurs interference from the transmissions by other transmitter-receiver pairs. In this paper, we study distributed averaging when each transmission is received with an additive unwanted interference component. We model the the interference incurred at each communication link to belong to the range space of a matrix; this matrix may be different across different links. Under this algebraic structure, we outline (local) information alignment strategies such that perfect average is achievable over a subspace complimentary to the network interference subspace.
Improved survival with adjuvant immunotherapy after surgical resection in a murine model

Background: Adoptive immunotherapy has met with limited success in the treatment of bulky metastatic disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether lymphocytes stimulated in vitro could improve survival when given as an adjuvant to surgical resection in animals harboring microscopic metastatic disease. Methods: Lymphocytes from nodes draining the primary tumor (DLN lymphocytes) were stimulated in vitro with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and ionomycin and used as adjuvant immunotherapy after surgical resection of the primary tumor. Mice with advanced P-815 footpad tumors and disseminated microscopic metastases underwent amputation of the tumor-bearing extremity and were randomized to various adjuvant treatments. Results: Mice treated with adjuvant immunotherapy using stimulated DLN lymphocytes demonstrated significantly improved survival, showing that DLN lymphocytes stimulated in vitro can abrogate metastases that are invading multiple organs simultaneously. Mice successfully treated with adjuvant immunotherapy demonstrated long-term (80 days) in vivo antitumor activity by rejecting subsequent tumor challenge. In addition, stimulated DLN lymphocytes provided in vivo antitumor activity to naive mice. Conclusions: Adjuvant immunotherapy after resection in the face of residual microscopic tumor burden may prove to be a useful application of adoptive immunotherapy.
Probes of Pore Environment and Molecule-Matrix Interactions in Sol-Gel Materials

The use of molecular probes to study the nature of the local environment around dopants in silicate sol−gel materials is reviewed. The review selectively focuses on probes of pore solvent composition and molecule−matrix interactions using electronic spectroscopy. The sol−gel environment is complex; to systematize the discussion, four regions are defined. The most commonly probed region is the free liquid region where the surroundings of a dopant molecule are similar to those of an equivalent solution. The molecular composition of the mixed solvent, its polarity, and its pH are discussed. The three regions that are most important in affecting the dopant via molecule−matrix interactions are the interfacial region within a few molecular diameters of the pore wall, the pore wall itself, and the constraining regions where the distances between opposite sides of the pores are about the same as the size of the probe molecule. The aspects of molecular mobility that are reviewed are probe molecule rotation, solven...
A general solution for the position, velocity, and acceleration of hyperredundant planar manipulators

A new approach for the solution of the position, velocity, and acceleration of hyperredun- dant planar manipulators following any twice-differentiable desired path is presented. The method is singularity free, and provides a robust solution even in the event of me- chanical failure of some of the robot actuators. The approach is based on defining virtual layers, and dividing them into virtual/real three-link or four-link subrobots. It starts by solving the inverse kinematic problem for the subrobot located in the lowest virtual layer, which is then used to solve the inverse kinematic equations for the subrobots located in the upper virtual layers. An algorithm is developed that provides a singularity-free solution up to the full extension through a configuration index. The configuration index can be interpreted as the average of the determinants of the Jacobians of the subrobots. The equations for the velocities and accelerations of the manipulator are solved by ex- tending the same approach, and it is shown that the value of the configuration index is critical in maintaining joint velocity continuity. The inverse dynamic problem of the robot is also solved to obtain the torques required for the robot actuators to accomplish their tasks. Computer simulations of several hyperredundant manipulators using the proposed method are presented as numerical examples. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ultrastructural observations on regenerating hair cells in the chick basilar papilla.

Abstract This experiment was designed to investigate cellular and subcellular maturational changes in regenerated immature sensory cells and support cells of the chick basilar papilla following gentamycin treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used. The experimental animals received one subcutaneous injection of gentamycin sulfate daily (50 mg/kg) for five or 10 days. The animals receiving five days of injection were sacrificed the following day. The remaining animals were allowed to survive either seven or 28 days before sacrifice and preparation for electron microscopy. The initial lesion consisted of total degeneration of hair cells within 500 μm of the proximal tip providing the opportunity to study a ‘pure’ population of regenerating sensory cells. Sensory cell regeneration could be identified by one day after terminating gentamycin treatment. Early in development sensory cell precursors were morphologically very similar to supporting cells. A density gradient, based on cytoplasmic staining characteristics, was established which increased from cells displaying low density at the base of the supporting cell layer to high density cells at the luminal surface. These changes in density were equated to increases in number of and types of cytoplasmic organelles. In contrast to the empty appearing cytoplasm of the support cell, the cytoplasm of the hair cell precursor contained numerous mitochondria, clusters of ribosomes, and vesicles. As the cell approached the surface, mitochondria became more numerous as did smooth and coarse endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. This gradient suggested that determination of the cellular phenotype occurred at the level of the basal membrane followed by migration to the surface, during which time differentiation was characterized by an increase in number and complexity of cellular organelles. Luminal surface modifications occurred as soon as the cell erupted. The development of stereocilia, rootlet, cuticular plate and cellular polarization followed the normal embryogenetic pattern. At 28 days, stereocilia organization was still incomplete as was the orientation of the bundle. To the extent that proper orientation of hair cells or bundles is necessary for normal transduction, mature function at 28 days would not be anticipated. Innervation of the presumptive hair cell precursors could be observed one day after treatment, early in the course of hair cell differentiation. Synaptogenesis followed the normal embryogenetic sequence; however, afferent and efferent nerve terminals remained immature appearing at 28 days. This observation may have physiological implications manifested by delay of hearing recovery in these animals.
RNA polymerase from tobacco necrosis virus infected and unifected tobacco. Purification of the membrane-associated enzyme

Abstract The particulate RNA polymerase activity (16 K sedimentable) was determined in virus-infected and uninfected tobacco, as well as after solubilization with Triton X-100. This enzyme activity was further purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and density gradient centrifugation. The solubilized preparation obtained upon TNV infection represented an enzyme-template complex; in the course of purification somewhat variably increasing levels of dependence on added RNA were observed. RNA-dependent preparations obtained by density gradient centrifugation or polyethyleneglycol-dextran two phase separation had a molecular weight of approx 200,000. Purified enzyme preparations, upon SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed one predominant protein component with an approximate molecular weight of 60,000. The lower enzymatic activity in unifected tobacco was at all stages stimulated by, or dependent upon, added RNA, but otherwise showed very similar properties to that of TNV-infected plants. The activity, whether from infected or healthy plants, when free from endogenous template, was activated by all RNAs tested, with trunip yellow mosaic virus RNA and poly(AU) being the most active, and the RNAs of TNV and STNV no more active than other viral RNAs. The nature of this lack of specificity is discussed. The addition of STNV to the inoculum leads to diminished production of viruses and RNA polymerase.
Some Implications of Recent Research in Social and Developmental Psychology for Counseling Practice

Blocher sees four implications for counseling as a result of the additions to research and theory building of social, developmental, and general psychology. From social influence theory, from cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, and developmental research (and their hyphenated combinations) he offers a prototype “systematic eclectic” task-model directed toward implications (1) counseling is a social influence process, (2) counseling centers on the client's cognitive activity, (3) a major variable in the outcome of counseling is the level of the client's cognitive development, and (4) counselors may need intervention programs to raise cognitive levels.
Grammar-based connectionist approaches to language

This article describes an approach to connectionist language research that relies on the development of grammar formalisms rather than computer models. From formulations of the fundamental theoretical commitments of connectionism and of generative grammar, it is argued that these two paradigms are mutually compatible. Integrating the basic assumptions of the paradigms results in formal theories of grammar that centrally incorporate a certain degree of connectionist computation. Two such grammar formalisms—Harmonic Grammar (Legendre, Miyata, & Smolensky, 1990a,b) and Optimality Theory (Prince & Smolensky, 1991, 1993)—are briefly introduced to illustrate grammar-based approaches to connectionist language research. The strengths and weaknesses of grammar-based research and more traditional model-based research are argued to be complementary, suggesting a significant role for both strategies in the spectrum of connectionist language research.
Large scale unconstrained optimization

Abstract This paper concerns recent developments in methods for minimizing unconstrained nonlinear functions in many variables. Recent theoretical results and computational experience with truncated Newton methods and Buckley's variable storage preconditioned conjugate gradient method are stressed.
The HIV-1 Env Trimer in HD

Understanding the structure of the native HIV-1 envelope spike protein is critical for the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies. In this issue of Structure, Guttman and colleagues use hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) to provide new insights into the structure of the HIV-1 Env trimer and enhance our understanding of how HIV-1 Env is activated for virus fusion.
BioFacets: Faceted Classification for Biological Information

Biologists are increasingly relying on online biological databases to conduct their research. Despite the availability of hundreds of such databases, only a handful of them are effectively deployed by the community. The main reason for this is the lack of metadata provided by the databases, such as, the types of data stored, its coverage, and its relationship with other databases. Nevertheless, each database has a potential for supporting existing research investigations. The opportunity to leverage the wealth of data available presents several challenges related to data integration and representation. In this paper, we present BioFacets, a new integration system for web based biological databases. The main feature of this system is the proposal of a new faceted classification system that allows for dynamic categorization of biological result sets. Other features of the system include query optimization, cache management and support for a meta-search engine that allows the system to efficiently search across multiple online biological databases.
Analysis of Acousto-Electromagnetic Wave Interaction Using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method

We model electromagnetic scattering from two-dimensional objects under seismic or acoustic illumination. The vibration of the object gives rise to a frequency modulated, or Doppler, component in the scattered electromagnetic field. The Doppler component is primarily produced by two mechanisms, the boundary perturbation on the surface of the object and the density modulation within the object. The contributions from the boundary perturbation, which are analyzed in a previous publication, are reviewed and expanded upon herein; the contributions from density modulation are also presented. The wave interaction is analyzed with a unique, two-step approach. First, a finite element acoustic simulation is used to obtain the displacements within the acoustically excited object. This information is then input to a specialized formulation of the finite-difference time-domain method to simulate electromagnetic scattering. Analytical solutions for a cylinder are used to verify the computational modeling approach. Results for a more complex geometry are also presented.
Where Should Educational Leadership Authors Publish to Get Noticed by the Top Journals in the Discipline

Purpose: The current study seeks to understand which journals have been recently cited by scholars publishing in the field of educational leadership (i.e., specifically publishing in Educational Ad...
A role for cytosolic hsp70 in yeast [PSI(+)] prion propagation and [PSI(+)] as a cellular stress.

[PSI+] is a prion (infectious protein) of Sup35p, a subunit of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae translation termination factor. We isolated a dominant allele, SSA1-21, of a gene encoding an Hsp70 chaperone that impairs [PSI+] mitotic stability and weakens allosuppression caused by [PSI+]. While [PSI+] stability is normal in strains lacking SSA1, SSA2, or both, SSA1-21 strains with a deletion of SSA2 cannot propagate [PSI+]. SSA1-21 [PSI+] strains are hypersensitive to curing of [PSI+] by guanidine-hydrochloride and partially cured of [PSI+] by rapid induction of the heat-shock response but not by growth at 37°. The number of inheritable [PSI+] particles is significantly reduced in SSA1-21 cells. SSA1-21 effects on [PSI+] appear to be independent of Hsp104, another stress-inducible protein chaperone known to be involved in [PSI+] propagation. We propose that cytosolic Hsp70 is important for the formation of Sup35p polymers characteristic of [PSI+] from preexisting material and that Ssa1-21p both lacks and interferes with this activity. We further demonstrate that the negative effect of heat stress on [PSI+] phenotype directly correlates with solubility of Sup35p and find that in wild-type strains the presence of [PSI+] causes a stress that elevates basal expression of Hsp104 and SSA1.
Wavelet-based resource allocation in ATM networks

In recent years, numerous publications have identified a high number of traffic sources to be of self-similar nature. Such traffic can have a negative impact on traditional queuing systems. This paper presents a call admission control algorithm that uses periodic wavelet analysis applied to traffic measurements to estimate the amount of resources necessary to support a certain set of connections under quality-of-service constraints. This algorithm even exploits correlated traffic. Extensive simulation results illustrate the performance of the algorithm over a large parameter spectrum (Hurst parameter, load, and intensity), and the results consistently show that the higher the Hurst parameter, the higher the statistical gain.
Vertical fracture of root filled teeth restored with posts: the effects of patient age and dentine thickness

Aim To determine whether patient age contributed to the fracture resistance of teeth subjected to root canal treatment and post placement.
Prognosis in primary effusion lymphoma is associated with the number of body cavities involved.

AbstractPrimary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare lymphoma associated with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and characterized by a malignant body cavity effusion without solid organ or nodal involvement. Prognostic factors in patients with PEL have not been systematically studied. We conducted a literature search for patients with HHV8-positive PEL to identify potential prognostic factors for survival. Our search identified 147 patients, among which 104 patients were HHV8-positive. The median overall survival was 9 months. The median age was 57 years with a male predominance (6:1). Pathologically, 33% of the patients expressed CD20 and 69% expressed CD30. Patients with PEL with > 1 body cavity involved had a median overall survival (OS) of 4 months compared with 18 months in patients with only one cavity involved (p = 0.003). Additionally, in patients with one involved body cavity, pericardial involvement was associated with a longer median OS than pl...
Data processing for radial immunodiffusion.

Abstract The procedure for calculation of the ratio of the number of antibody to antigen molecules initially contained within a precipitin ring is given for both the forward (antigen-in-the-well) and reverse (antibody-in-the-well) methods of radial immunodiffusion from single wells. This molar ratio was determined for three pairs of reagens of the foot-and-mouth disease guinea pig immune system: virus and IgG, virus and IgM, and coat protein antigen and IgG. None of the ratios corresponded to equivalence of the precipitin reactions. Instead, the antibody-antigen ratio was greater by an order of magnitude for the reverse as compared with the forward method. Furthermore, the ratio for the reverse method corresponded roughly to that in extreme antibody excess while the ratio for the forward method was close to the molar ratio in antigen excess. Formulas are developed for data processing that permit correction for wel size and sample volume besides providing internal standard errors of results. These relationships are used in interpreting special experiments showing the dynamic nature of the immunodiffusion process even after the precipitin ring stops growing.
The taxonomic status of Astragalus mokiacensis (Fabaceae), a species endemic to the southwestern United States

Abstract Alexander, J. A. (Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, 2082 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, 97331-2902, U.S.A.; alexandj@science.oregonstate.edu). The taxonomic status of Astragalus mokiacensis (Fabaceae), a species endemic to the southwestern United States. Brittonia 57: 320–333. 2005.—Astragalus mokiacensis has been a problematic species since it was first described in 1877. Every major revision delimited this taxon differently. A principal components analysis of morphological data from herbarium specimens was used to determine the affinities between type specimens and extant populations of A. mokiacensis. The taxon recently recognized as A. lentiginosus var. trumbullensis is morphologically similar to the lectotype of Astragalus mokiacensis. Astragalus lentiginosus var. trumbullensis is herein recognized as a low-elevation minor variant and considered a synonym of A. mokiacensis. A taxonomic key and complete synonymy are included.
Effect of pH on the Growth and Proteolytic Activity of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius

The effect of pH on the growth and proteolytic activity of the type strain and fresh isolates of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides intermedius was investigated. B. intermedius strains grew with and without glucose at a pH as low as 5.0. These bacteria grew almost as well as Streptococcus mutans at pH 5.0 and better than Actinomyces viscosus at pH 5.5 and 5.0. Some B. intermedius strains raised the culture pH when grown at a low pH without glucose. In contrast, P. gingivalis strains grew only at pH 6.5 to 7.0. The P. gingivalis strains had proteolytic activities against azocoll, azocasein, and azoalbumin, while the B. intermedius strains degraded azocasein and azoalbumin, but not azocoll. B. intermedius showed maximum proteolytic activity at pH 7.0, and high activity over a wide pH range. In contrast, the optimum pH of proteolytic activity in P. gingivalis was pH 7.5 to 8.0. The P. gingivalis activities were more sensitive than those of B. intermedius to low pH. The capacity of B. intermedius to degrade proteins to more readily metabolizable substrates at low pH might explain the growth of this bacterium in an acidic environment. These differences between B. intermedius and P. gingivalis could explain their capacity to survive at different sites in the oral cavity and indicate how B. intermedius might positively influence the growth of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque.
Is Germany a ‘good European’? German compliance with EU Law

It is often asserted that Germany has assimilated the norms and identity of European integration. In this essay, we test this proposition. After reviewing the literature on German EU policy, we argue that a good place to test whether Germany has become a ‘good European’ is in compliance with EU law. An unbiased test of the ‘good European’ hypothesis requires that we examine a body of patterned behavior that is highly constrained or constituted by a set of recognized and accepted norms, both procedural and substantive. We argue that the mutually constitutive nature of norms, identity, and interests finds expression in the highly developed EU legal system. The evolution and legitimacy of EU law meet the criteria for identity formation (and interest construction) for its member states as specified in the literature. An examination of over 1,600 infringement cases (where the Commission sues a member for failing to comply with EU law) between 1962 and 1999 finds that the Germans are average in violation of EU ...
Effects of seasonal variation and land cover on riparian denitrification along a mid-sized river

Urban areas contribute disproportional nitrogen (N) loads to downstream aquatic ecosystems resulting in potential hypoxic ‘dead’ zones. Riparian areas along streams and rivers reduce inorganic N concentrations through denitrification, an anaerobic microbial process. Our study objective was to investigate the denitrification potential of riparian areas with differing land cover composition along the Licking River in Kentucky, USA – a tributary of the Ohio River. For one year we collected monthly samples from four sites along a 60 km reach of the Licking River. We experienced substantial drought conditions in the first half of our study period followed by record precipitation and flooding in the second half of our study period. Land cover surrounding the sample sites was classified into distinct classes hypothesized to contribute to N loads. We found flooding increased denitrification potential, water nitrate concentration, and soil organic matter, while drought conditions increased soil ammonium concentrat...
Operating Modes Of The Microchannel Spatial Light Modulator

The fundamental operating characteristics and materials limitations of the optically addressed microchannel spatial light modulator (MSLM) are discussed. The role of secondary electron emission in the operation of the device is stressed, and some of the write, cycling, and readout modes, and their limitations, are described. In addition, the limitations of the inherent space-domain image processing operations of the device are discussed.
Asymptotic delay in random wireless networks

An estimate of the average delay experienced by data bits transported through randomly distributed nodes forming a multi-hop wireless network is presented, as an order of the number of nodes in the network. It is seen that the expected asymptotic delay observed per bit, from a source to a destination node, essentially averages to the order of O (/spl radic/n), for n nodes in the network.
Anomalous chemical shifts of methyl groups of 2,4-dimethylbenzo[g]quinoline.

Abstract The chemical shifts of the methyl groups of 2,4-dimethyl- benzo[ g ]quinoline are defined with respect to concentration, showing that the methyl resonances are reversed from their expected positions in concentrations normally used in NMR spectroscopy. The phenomenon is explained in terms of the probable "fixation" of bonds in the hetero ring.
Chemopreventive efficacy of silymarin in skin and prostate cancer.

Prevention and therapeutic intervention by phytochemicals are newer dimensions in the arena of cancer management. In this regard, the cancer chemopreventive role of silymarin (Silybum marianum) has been extensively studied and has shown anticancer efficacy against various cancer sites, especially skin and prostate. In skin cancer, silymarin treatment inhibits ultraviolet B radiation or chemically initiated or promoted carcinogenesis. These effects of silymarin against skin carcinogenesis have been attributed to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action as well as its inhibitory effect on mitogenic signaling. Similarly, silymarin treatment inhibits 3, 2-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl–induced prostate carcinogenesis and retards the growth of advanced prostate tumor xenograft in athymic nude mice. In prostate cancer, silymarin treatment down-regulates androgen receptor–, epidermal growth factor receptor–, and nuclear factor-κB– mediated signaling and induces cell cycle arrest. Extensive preclinical findings have supported the anticancer potential of silymarin, and now its efficacy is being evaluated in cancer patients.
Convergence to perfect competition of a dynamic matching and bargaining market with two-sided incomplete information and exogenous exit rate

Abstract Consider a decentralized, dynamic market with an infinite horizon and incomplete information in which buyers and sellers' values for the traded good are private and independently drawn. Time is discrete, each period has length δ , and each unit of time a large number of new buyers and sellers enter the market. Within a period each buyer is matched with a seller and each seller is matched with zero, one, or more buyers. Every seller runs a first price auction with a reservation price and, if trade occurs, the seller and winning buyer exit with their realized utility. Traders who fail to trade either continue in the market to be rematched or exit at an exogenous rate. We show that in all steady state, perfect Bayesian equilibria, as δ approaches zero, equilibrium prices converge to the Walrasian price and realized allocations converge to the competitive allocation.
Pathogen-Related Differences in the Abundance of Presented Antigen Are Reflected in CD4+ T Cell Dynamic Behavior and Effector Function in the Lung

Exposure to pathogens in the periphery elicits effector T cell differentiation in local lymph nodes followed by migration of activated T cells to and within the infected site. However, the relationships among pathogen abundance, Ag display on MHC molecules, effector T cell dynamics, and functional responses at the infected sites are incompletely characterized. In this study, we compared CD4 + T cell effector dynamics and responses during pulmonary mycobacterial infection versus acute influenza infection. Two-photon imaging together with in situ as well as ex vivo analysis of cytokine production revealed that the proportion of migration-arrested, cytokine-producing effector T cells was dramatically higher in the influenza-infected lungs due to substantial differences in Ag abundance in the two infectious states. Despite the marked inflammatory conditions associated with influenza infection, histocytometric analysis showed that cytokine production was focal, with a restriction to areas of significant Ag burden. Optimal effector function is thus constrained by the availability of TCR ligands, pointing to the value of increasing Ag stimulation rather than effector numbers in harnessing CD4 + T cells for therapeutic purposes in such conditions.
Actin Interacting Protein1 and Actin Depolymerizing Factor Drive Rapid Actin Dynamics in Physcomitrella patens

The remodeling of actin networks is required for a variety of cellular processes in eukaryotes. In plants, several actin binding proteins have been implicated in remodeling cortical actin filaments (F-actin). However, the extent to which these proteins support F-actin dynamics in planta has not been tested. Using reverse genetics, complementation analyses, and cell biological approaches, we assessed the in vivo function of two actin turnover proteins: actin interacting protein1 (AIP1) and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). We report that AIP1 is a single-copy gene in the moss Physcomitrella patens. AIP1 knockout plants are viable but have reduced expansion of tip-growing cells. AIP1 is diffusely cytosolic and functions in a common genetic pathway with ADF to promote tip growth. Specifically, ADF can partially compensate for loss of AIP1, and AIP1 requires ADF for function. Consistent with a role in actin remodeling, AIP1 knockout lines accumulate F-actin bundles, have fewer dynamic ends, and have reduced severing frequency. Importantly, we demonstrate that AIP1 promotes and ADF is essential for cortical F-actin dynamics.
The Thomas S. case: report on progress with court compliance issues.

The present paper is a brief summary of the progress which has been made in the Thomas S. case, a U.S. Federal Court lawsuit The suit focused on adults with intellectual disability who had been inappropriately placed in state psychiatric hospitals in conditions which violated their constitutional rights. These constitutional rights include safety, protection from harm, treatment under safe conditions, freedom from undue restraint, and minimally adequate habilitation or treatment The present report summarizes the progress made by the 239 class members after they had received a Thomas S. service plan for 6-24 months. Overall, the results suggest that the class members have made significant progress in several areas. Two areas needing continued attention are the challenging behaviours of some class members and their lack of employment opportunities.
BER performance of DS-CDMA communications for continuous phase modulation and various binary code families

Continuous phase modulation has been favorably considered among other modulation types for use in DS-CDMA communications due to its constant envelope and compact spectrum. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First, a theoretical framework based BER performance calculation of a DS-CDMA system with CPM modulation is presented. Our simulations validate that analytical methodology. Second, BER performances of various constant power spreading code families (binary valued Walsh, Gold, Walsh-like 7/8-length codes) are simulated for BPSK and CPM modulations. It is shown that CPM signaling based systems outperform BPSK modulation for all scenarios considered.
Carotid Compression Tonography Correlation With Bilateral Carotid Arteriography in the Diagnosis of Extracranial Carotid Occlusive Disease

One hundred twenty-two patients had carotid compression tonography (CCT) followed by bilateral carotid arteriography. In the group (82 patients) which was felt to have significant occlusive disease of the internal carotid at the level of the carotid bifurcation (>50% stenosis), the CCT showed a 92% correlation with arteriography. Of the group (48 patients) that underwent endarterectomy, there was a 94% correlation with CCT testing. In 40 patients, with normal arteriograms or with less than 50% stenotic lesions on arteriography, there was a large number (25%) of patients with a CCT test which appeared to indicate decreased flow. Various reasons for this are discussed. The high correlation of the CCT test and carotid arteriography in the patients with surgically amenable lesions would suggest that the CCT test is a good noninvasive screening technique for the detection of significant occlusive disease of the extracranial carotid vascular system.
Equity, Mathematics Reform and Policy: The Dilemma of ‘Opportunity to Learn’

Educational reformers have advocated for the use of discourse practices in mathematics classrooms in order to improve the quality of mathematics education. The research in this area suggests that when discourse practices are effectively implemented in classrooms among teachers with strong mathematics knowledge that student learning increases and achievement gaps are narrowed. However, this chapter considers how policy-level factors including academic tracking, teacher quality, and assessment policies may negatively influence students’ opportunity to learn related to mathematics discourse. We suggest that the existence of academic tracking may decrease the likelihood of students in low track classrooms from being introduced to mathematics discourse because of the low rigor often found in these settings. Teachers with weak mathematics knowledge and pedagogical skills may be less likely to possess the capacity to effectively implement mathematics discourse. In addition, the implementation of high stakes assessment policy in the United States via the No Child Left Behind Act may constrain the use of discourse practices in classrooms. This may occur when the format and content of a state assessment compels schools to use instructional strategies that do not promote the use of discourse practices related to mathematics. In the end, these policy-level factors may limit the use of discourse as a means to improve mathematics teaching and learning resulting in further stratification of mathematics knowledge in American classrooms.
Social Learning and the Maintenance of Cultural Variation: An Evolutionary Model and Data from East Africa

Human societies maintain between-group variation despite mixing of people and ideas. In order for variation to remain, migrants or their children must preferentially adopt local norms, customs, and beliefs. Yet the details of how cultural variation is maintained, despite mixing, remain unknown. This article addresses this problem by using a simple model of the evolution of cultural learning to interpret the results of a study of cultural variation in a small region of East Africa. I argue that the manner in which migrants of two diverse regions adapt to local beliefs and behavior depends on the costs and accuracy of learning in each domain. Observational studies are never definitive tests of any hypothesis, but these results suggest that conclusions about the significance of cultural learning for understanding individual attitudes and behavior depend strongly upon the domain of investigation.
Differential actions of renal ischemic injury on the intrarenal angiotensin system.

The present study determined the effect of either occlusion of the left renal artery for 60 min (ischemia) or sham operation on angiotensin (ANG) receptors and tissue and urinary levels of ANG pept...
Capacity-approaching bandwidth-efficient coded modulation schemes based on low-density parity-check codes

We design multilevel coding (MLC) and bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM) schemes based on low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The analysis and optimization of the LDPC component codes for the MLC and BICM schemes are complicated because, in general, the equivalent binary-input component channels are not necessarily symmetric. To overcome this obstacle, we deploy two different approaches: one based on independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) channel adapters and the other based on coset codes. By incorporating i.i.d. channel adapters, we can force the symmetry of each binary-input component channel. By considering coset codes, we extend the concentration theorem based on previous work by Richardson et al. ( see ibid., vol.47, p.599-618, Feb. 2001) and Kavc/spl caron/ic/spl acute/ et al.(see ibid., vol.49, p.1636-52, July 2003) We also discuss the relation between the systems based on the two approaches and show that they indeed have the same expected decoder behavior. Next, we jointly optimize the code rates and degree distribution pairs of the LDPC component codes for the MLC scheme. The optimized irregular LDPC codes at each level of MLC with multistage decoding (MSD) are able to perform well at signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) very close to the capacity of the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. We also show that the optimized BICM scheme can approach the parallel independent decoding (PID) capacity as closely as does the MLC/PID scheme. Simulations with very large codeword length verify the accuracy of the analytical results. Finally, we compare the simulated performance of these coded modulation schemes at finite codeword lengths, and consider the results from the perspective of a random coding exponent analysis.