cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Like Produces Like: John Heyl Vincent and His 19th Century Theory of Character Education

An examination of late 19th century writings about character development by popular educator and revered Methodist bishop John Heyl Vincent (1832–1920) sheds additional insight on early character education theory. Vincent is best known as the cofounder of the Chautauqua movement in 1874. However, his theoretical constructs for character development merit not only acknowledgment in the discipline's official history but also further investigation and discussion by today's scholars. The constructs identified from early writings suggest that effective character education occurs in both the home and the school and requires parents and teachers who model good moral character. This article posits the importance of a teacher's moral character as the central idea of Vincent's theory of character education, and it provides one example of how theories of character education at home transitioned to theories of character education at school during this important time period.
Electron Impact Fragmentation Studies of β-Blocking Drugs and Their Metabolites by GC-Mass Spectroscopy

This work describes the mass fragmentation patterns of trifluoroacetylated derivatives of five aryloxy β-blocking drugs as well as five metabolites of this chemical and therapeutic class. This chemical class is characterized by intense ions at m/e 308, 266, and 43 and by a strong metastable ion at m/e 229.2. The mechanism of fragmentation was confirmed with the hexadeuterated (d6) analogs of these compounds. In addition, mass spectral features are described for three arylalkyl β-blocking drugs. These mass spectral data should facilitate the rapid and accurate determination of the metabolic fate of these and other β-blocking drugs of this chemical class.
A couple-stresses elastic solution of an infinite tension plate bounded by an elliptical hole☆

Abstract Couple-stresses solutions are obtained for an infinite tension elastic plate bounded at the interior by an elliptical hole with the static equilibrating tractions. The nominal tension in the plate is uniform along the major axis. The selection of the Mathieus' functions and the form of weighting functions in the boundary conditions match a particular class of boundary values which reduces upon limiting processes to three special cases. These cases are ones with free stresses on the interior boundary: The couple-stresses solution for the degenerate circle, the couple-stresses solution for the degenerate crack, and the classical solution for the elliptical hole. Of particular interest is the degenerate crack problem. The couple-stresses solution for the degenerate crack is the same as the classical one of the crack. This is true because couple-stresses are related to curvature; however, no curvature is induced in this crack problem.
On the optimization of VLSI contacts

The contact-resistance characteristic of silicon devices has been a subject of research and development since the early days of silicon integrated-circuit technology. The contact-chain losses suffered by very large scale integration (VLSI), however, have made the minimization of contact resistance a critical parameter due to the large number of contacts per circuit and due to the increase of contact resistance with decreasing contact size. This paper will present a brief review of the theory of contact resistance, the literature, measurement techniques, and of the transmission-line model (TLM) for analyzing contact-resistance data. Contact-resistance data pertaining to shallow high-conductivity contacts for VLSI will be presented as a function of the junction parameters (implant dose, etc.) and of the contact area for BF 2 and arsenic implants with aluminum-silicon metallization. Contact-resistance data for a sputtered molybdenum silicide contact barrier for boron and arsenic implants versus contact area will also be presented and compared to the aluminum-silicon control samples with a discussion regarding the uniformity of contacts to silicon.
Holes in space-time

We explore the possibility that the topology of space-time may not be that of Minkowski’s space-time but may include many topological holes. We show that these holes should behave like massless scalar particles with Lorentz invariant cross-sections which depend upon their size. We argue that they should have a thermal energy distribution with a temperature the same as the cosmic neutrino background. A photon interacting with this sea of holes is red-shifted in an energy-dependent way. This allows us to put severe constraints on their cross-sections using radio and optical quasar data.
Synthesis and characterization of late lytic simian virus 40 RNA from transcriptional complexes.

Abstract A nucleoprotein complex was isolated from simian virus (SV40)-infected African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells by the Sarkosyl extraction procedure [Gariglio, P., and Mousset, S. (1975). FEBS Lett. 56, 149–155]. The majority of the viral transcriptional activity appears in the Sarkosyl supernatant where 70 to 90% of the RNA is virus specific. Although a low level of reinitiation of RNA synthesis was clearly demonstrated, none of this RNA was SV40 specific. The RNA synthesized by the purified transcriptional complex was analyzed by sucrose gradient sedimentation after denaturation and was found to be heterogeneous with a broad peak at 15 to 20 S. Hybridization experiments using the separated strands of SV40 DNA as well as restriction enzyme fragments have shown that in vitro-labeled RNA is synthesized from the entire late (L) and early (E) strand of the viral DNA. Between 80 and 85% of the virus-specific RNA was transcribed from the L strand, a percentage similar to but slightly lower than that found for the relative rate of transcription of the late and early viral DNA strands in lytically infected cells [Laub, 0., and Aloni, Y. (1975) J. Virol. 16, 1171–1183] and in the nuclei of infected cells pulse-labeled in vitro [Gilboa, E., and Aviv, H. (1976). Cell 7, 567–573]. This suggets that in vitro RNA chain elongation with labeled nucleotides reflects primarily the frequency at which transcription of the L and E strands is initiated in vivo. In addition, viral RNA synthesized from the chromatin fraction was qualitatively similar to that transcribed by the supernatant fraction. This observation would appear to exclude the possibility that a special class of viral RNA is transcribed from integrated viral templates.
Developmental changes in glutamine transport by rat jejunal basolateral membrane vesicles.

The ontogeny of glutamine uptake by jejunal basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) was studied in suckling and weanling rats and the results were compared with adult rats. Glutamine uptake was found to represent a transport into an osmotically active space and not mere binding to the membrane surface. Temperature dependency indicated a carrier-mediated process with optimal pH of 7.0. Transport of glutamine was Na+ (out greater than in) gradient dependent with a distinct "overshoot" phenomenon. The magnitude of the overshoot was higher in suckling compared with weanling rats. The uptake kinetics and inhibition profile indicated the existence of two major transport pathways. A Na(+)-dependent system correlated with System A showed tolerance to System N and System ASC substrates, and a Na(+)-independent system similar to the classical L system that favors leucine and BCH. The Vmax for the Na(+)-dependent system was higher in suckling compared with weanling and adult rats. The Vmax for the Na(+)-dependent system was 0.86 +/- 0.17, 0.64 +/- 0.8, and 0.41 +/- 0.9 nmol.mg protein-1.10 sec-1 for suckling, weanling, and adult rats, respectively. The Vmax for the Na(+)-independent system was 0.68 +/- 0.08, 0.50 +/- 0.03, and 0.24 +/- 0.03 nmol.mg protein-1.10 sec-1 for suckling, weanling, and adult rats, respectively. We conclude that glutamine uptake undergoes developmental changes consistent with more activity and/or number of glutamine transporters during periods of active cellular proliferation and differentiation.
Which Pulmonary Function Tests Best Differentiate Between COPD Phenotypes

We are still at the early phase of finding useful phenotypes in COPD that can guide therapy. However, in a simple sense, “sick patients die.” Many phenotypic measurements of severity correlate with mortality in COPD: FEV1, the ratio of inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity (IC/TLC), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 6-min walk distance, and maximum oxygen (O2) consumption or maximum watts on exercise testing. However, composite parameters, such as the BODE index (body mass index, air flow obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity), perform better, likely because they capture different aspects of severity that affect functional impairment and risk of death. Bronchodilator responsiveness is just a relative feature that aids in distinction of asthma and COPD but is not diagnostic in this use. A normal DLCO helps to rule out exercise-induced O2 desaturation, but those with a low DLCO and COPD need exercise measurements to confirm desaturation. Currently, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) alone do not define subsets who respond to particular therapies. The presence of air flow obstruction and its severity increase the risk of lung cancer in COPD patients. Inflammatory biomarkers (exhaled nitric oxide and eosinophilia in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) help distinguish asthma from COPD. Genetics is a promising area to elucidate pathophysiology and treatment for asthma and COPD, but currently alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is the only genetically-determined phenotype that has relevance for COPD management. The best promise for the future seems to be in composite phenotypes or scores, both for distinguishing asthma from COPD, and for guiding therapeutic options. It may be better to throw out the old, limiting diagnostic concepts. If, instead, we start from outcomes of interest, perhaps we can work back to predictors of these outcomes, and organize new diagnostic entities that have predictive relevance for treatment choices, functional outcomes, and mortality.
Enhanced neurosteroid potentiation of ternary GABA(A) receptors containing the delta subunit

Attenuated behavioral sensitivity to neurosteroids has been reported for mice deficient in the GABA(A) receptor delta subunit. We therefore investigated potential subunit-specific neurosteroid pharmacology of the following GABA(A) receptor isoforms in a transient expression system: alpha1beta3gamma2L, alpha1beta3delta, alpha6beta3gamma2L, and alpha6beta3delta. Potentiation of submaximal GABA(A) receptor currents by the neurosteroid tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) was greatest for the alpha1beta3delta isoform. Whole-cell GABA concentration--response curves performed with and without low concentrations (30 nm) of THDOC revealed enhanced peak GABA(A) receptor currents for isoforms tested without affecting the GABA EC50. Alpha1beta3delta currents were enhanced the most (>150%), whereas the other isoform currents were enhanced 15-50%. At a higher concentration (1 microm), THDOC decreased peak alpha1beta3gamma2L receptor current amplitude evoked by GABA (1 mm) concentration jumps and prolonged deactivation but had little effect on the rate or extent of apparent desensitization. Thus the polarity of THDOC modulation depended on GABA concentration for alpha1beta3gamma2L GABA(A) receptors. However, the same protocol applied to alpha1beta3delta receptors resulted in peak current enhancement by THDOC of >800% and prolonged deactivation. Interestingly, THDOC induced pronounced desensitization in the minimally desensitizing alpha1beta3delta receptors. Single channel recordings obtained from alpha1beta3delta receptors indicated that THDOC increased the channel opening duration, including the introduction of an additional longer duration open state. Our results suggest that the GABA(A) receptor delta subunit confers increased sensitivity to neurosteroid modulation and that the intrinsic gating and desensitization kinetics of alpha1beta3delta GABA(A) receptors are altered by THDOC.
N-acyldihydropyridones as synthetic intermediates. A stereoselective synthesis of acyclic amino alcohols containing multiple chiral centers.

Various multisubstituted piperidines containing a phenyl group at C-2 can be opened regio- and stereoselectively with cyanogen bromide. The ring-opened products contain useful cyanamide and benzylic bromide functional groups. The benzyl bromide can be cleanly reduced, or substituted with various nucleophiles via an SN2 process to add additional heteroatoms stereoselectively. This methodology is useful for the stereoselective synthesis of uniquely substituted alkylamine derivatives containing multiple chiral centers and various functionality. Diastereomerically pure amino alcohols containing three to five contiguous stereocenters were prepared using this strategy.
TGF-β Signaling and its Functional Significance in Regulating the Fate of Cranial Neural Crest Cells

Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and control the development and maintenance of most tissues. TGF-beta signal is transmitted through the phosphorylation of Smad proteins by TGF-beta receptor serine/threonine kinase. During craniofacial development, TGF-beta may regulate the fate specification of cranial neural crest cells. These cells are multipotent progenitors and capable of producing diverse cell types upon differentiation. Here we summarize evidence that TGF-beta ligands and their signaling intermediates have significant roles in patterning and specification of cranial neural crest cells. The biological function of TGF-beta is carried out through the regulation of transcriptional factors during embryogenesis.
ScerTF: a comprehensive database of benchmarked position weight matrices for Saccharomyces species

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a primary model for studies of transcriptional control, and the specificities of most yeast transcription factors (TFs) have been determined by multiple methods. However, it is unclear which position weight matrices (PWMs) are most useful; for the roughly 200 TFs in yeast, there are over 1200 PWMs in the literature. To address this issue, we created ScerTF, a comprehensive database of 1226 motifs from 11 different sources. We identified a single matrix for each TF that best predicts in vivo data by benchmarking matrices against chromatin immunoprecipitation and TF deletion experiments. We also used in vivo data to optimize thresholds for identifying regulatory sites with each matrix. To correct for biases from different methods, we developed a strategy to combine matrices. These aligned matrices outperform the best available matrix for several TFs. We used the matrices to predict co-occurring regulatory elements in the genome and identified many known TF combinations. In addition, we predict new combinations and provide evidence of combinatorial regulation from gene expression data. The database is available through a web interface at http://ural.wustl.edu/ScerTF. The site allows users to search the database with a regulatory site or matrix to identify the TFs most likely to bind the input sequence.
Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus IV. Strain Differences

Biological, biochemical, and biophysical properties of three lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus strains were compared. The biological property examined was the concentration range of virus which would, when injected into neonates, cause a carrier state. The dosage range for the CA1371 and Traub strains was found to be as broad as the limits examined (5 to 100 ld(50) units/mouse). The WCP strain, however, would only produce carriers within a 3 to 5 ld(50) range. The biochemical properties examined were the growth rates in tissue culture and the effect of varying the input ratio of virus to cells. With identical input ratios, the Traub strain reached a peak titer 32 hr after infection. The CA1371 and WCP strain reached their peaks at the 40th hr. With a 10-fold decrease in the amount of CA1371 virus per cell, peak titer (as high as in the above experiments) was not obtained until 56 hr postinfection. The biophysical properties examined were stability in density gradients and inactivation rates at 4C. In potassium tartrate gradients, full recovery of the CA1371 and WCP strain could be achieved. However, inactivation kinetics showed that only the CA1371 strain was much more stable than the Traub-LCM. The realization that marked differences in LCM strains exist is discussed in relation to certain inconsistencies in the literature.
LINE BASED COLLISION DETECTION OF CYLINDRICAL RIGID BODIES

This paper presents a novel methodology for detecting collisions of cylindrically shaped rigid bodies moving in three dimensions. This algorithm uses line geometry and dual number algebra to exploit the geometry of cylindrical objects to facilitate the detection of collisions. First, the rigid bodies are modelled with infinite cylinders and a necessary condition for collision is evaluated. If the necessary condition is not satisfied then the two bodies do not collide. If the necessary condition is satisfied then a collision between the bodies may occur and we proceed to the next stage of the algorithm. In the second stage the bodies are modelled with finite cylinders and a definitive necessary and sufficient collision detection algorithm is employed. The result is a straight-forward and efficient means of detecting collisions of cylindrically shaped bodies moving in three dimensions. This methodology has applications in spatial mechanism design, robot motion planning, and workspace analyses of parallel kinematic machines such as Stewart-Gough platforms. A case study examining a spatial 4C mechanism for self collisions is included.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Pedagogical Agent Signaling of Multiple Visual Engineering Representations: The Case of the Young Female Agent

Background Prior studies have shown that visual signaling improves learning from text or narration in conjunction with one depictive visual representation; however, engineering instruction typically employs multiple descriptive and depictive visual representations. Animated pedagogical agents (APAs) positively influence student attitudes about engineering. Whether APA signaling improves engineering learning and which APA characteristics are most conducive to learning is largely unknown. Purpose We examined the effects of visual signaling in engineering learning materials with multiple descriptive and depictive visual representations. We compared visual signaling by a young female APA with arrow signaling. Design/Method In the APA signaling condition, at appropriate points within a narration about electric circuits, the relevant areas in a circuit diagram, a sequence of equation calculations, and a Cartesian graph were signaled using APA gestures. In the arrow signaling condition, the same relevant areas were signaled using a dynamic arrow; the nosignaling (control) condition had no visual signaling. Student learning and perceptions were measured with a problem-solving posttest and a survey. Results Results indicated an aptitude-treatment interaction. Low prior knowledge learners had higher learning gains in the APA signaling condition, compared with the no signaling condition; high prior knowledge learners did not benefit from visual signaling. Conclusions Precollege students with low prior knowledge benefit from the signaling by a young female APA in instruction with multiple visual representations; high prior knowledge learners do not benefit from such support.
Evidence for the expression of radiation-induced potentially lethal damage being a p53-dependent process.

Purpose : To test the hypothesis that the expression of potentially lethal damage (PLD) is a p 53 -dependent process. Materials and methods : Previously reported data on radiation sensitivity, DNA double-strand break rejoining, PLD expression and repair (PLDR) were analyzed for a group of 12 human tumor cell lines and three human diploid fibroblast cell lines. Seven of these cell lines had normal p53 gene expression while the other eight were functionally p53 -deficient. None of the cell lines was sensitive to radiation-induced apoptosis. Results : Cell lines with a normal p53 expression were more sensitive to radiation, but only when sensitivity was measured in plateau-phase cultures under conditions where PLDR was minimized. Mutation or functional inactivation of p53 by HPV E6 transformation led to a more radioresistant phenotype under these conditions as well as a significant reduction in PLDR. PLDR was inversely proportional to the percentage of radiationinduced DNA double-strand breaks rejoined in 1h...
Performance Characterization of Java Applications on SMT Processors

As Java is emerging as one of the major programming languages in software development, studying how Java applications behave on recent SMT processors is of great interest. This paper characterizes the performance of Java applications on an Intel Pentium 4 hyper-threading processor. Using the performance counters provided by Pentium 4, we quantitatively evaluate micro-architecture metrics while running various types of Java applications. The experimental results reveal that: (1) Hyper-threading can indeed improve the performance of multithreaded Java programs; (2) The resource contentions within Pentium 4 are the major reason of pipeline inefficiency, which prevents better performance promised by SMT; (3) The static partition design of hyper-threading causes considerable performance loss for many single-thread Java programs; (4) Most multiprogrammed Java benchmarks can achieve decent combined speedups on hyper-threading processors
The Development and Validation of a New Machiavellianism Scale

A new measure of Machiavellianism, the Machiavellian Personality Scale (MPS), was developed and validated over two studies. Machiavellianism is conceptualized as one's propensity to distrust others, engage in amoral manipulation, seek control over others, and seek status for oneself. Study 1 developed and tested the factor structure of the scale, whereas Study 2 provided evidence for the convergent, divergent, and criterion-related validity of the MPS. The results of these studies supported the a priori factor structure of the MPS and indicated that it is a valid predictor of such outcomes as job satisfaction, task performance, and counterproductive work behaviors.
The use of generalized cell-survival data in a physiologically based objective function for hyperthermia treatment planning: a sensitivity study with a simple tissue model implanted with an array of ferromagnetic thermoseeds.

Abstract Purpose: A physiologically based objective function for identifying a combination of ferromagnetic seed temperatures and locations that maximizes the fraction of tumor cells killed in pretreatment planning of local hyperthermia. Methods and Materials: An objective-function is developed and coupled to finite element software that solves the bioheat transfer equation. The sensitivity of the objective function is studied in the optimization of a ferromagnetic hyperthermia treatment. The objective function has several salient features including (a) a physiological basis that considers increasing the fraction of cells killed with increasing temperatures above a minimum therapeutic temperature ( T mia,thera ), (b) a term to penalize for heating of normal tissues above T min,thera , and (c) a scalar weighting factor (γ) that has treatment implications. Reasonable estimates for γ are provided and their influence on the objective function is demonstrated. The cell-kill algorithm formulated in the objective function is based empirically upon the behavior of published hyperthermic cell-survival data. The objective function is shown to be independent of normal tissue size and shape when subjected to a known outer-surface, thermal boundary condition. Therefore, fractions of cells killed in tumors of different shapes and sizes can be compared to determine the relative performance of thermoseed arrays to heat different tumors. Results: In simulations with an idealized tissue model perfused by blood at various rates, maxima of the objective function are unique and identify seed spacings and Curie-point temperatures that maximize the fraction of tumor cells killed. In ferromagnetic hyperthermia treatment planning, seed spacing can be based on maximizing the minimum tumor temperature and minimizing the maximum normal tissue temperature. It is shown that this treatment plan is less effective than a plan based on seed spacings that maximize the objective function. Conclusions: It is shown that under the assumptions of the model and based on a desired therapeutic goal, the objective function identifies a combination of thermoseed temperatures and locations that maximizes the fraction of tumor cells killed.
The Modeling of Earthquake Occurrence

Recent developments in nonlinear science give impetus to an attack on the problems of developing physical models for seismicity. The irreversibility of earthquake events is simple enough testimony to support the proposal that the problems of earthquake occurrence are imbedded in the broader range of problems of nonlinear science. The nonlinearity is more profound than this: the deformation of the earth in the time and space between earthquake rupture events is a complex process, with strong accelerated deformation prior to ultimate fracture; the earthquake events themselves are rapidly running changes of state taking place on a much shorter time scale than that of the interludes; and the occurrence of each earthquake influences the times and locations of the others. The simulation targets of modeling endeavors are the rich phenomenology of statistical and case history seismicity which I have described in the preceding chapter; in most cases, we have information about the events themselves but relatively little information about the deformation in the intervals between the earthquakes. This is unfortunate for the purposes of mathematics, since it would seem, at least superficially, that one should focus on the state of stress as a continuous variable, rather than on the episodes of rapidly running changes of state that are the earthquake events themselves. A start on a theoretical study of the state of deformation as a stochastic process has been made by Knopoff[1] and Lomnitz-Adler[2], but few concrete results in this direction are available to date.
Imaging the deep structure of the San Andreas Fault south of Hollister with joint analysis of fault zone head and direct P arrivals

SUMMARY We perform a joint inversion of arrival time data generated by direct P and fault zone (FZ) head waves in the San Andreas Fault south of Hollister, CA, to obtain a high-resolution local velocity structure. The incorporation of head waves allows us to obtain a sharp image of the overall velocity contrast across the fault as a function of depth, while the use of near-fault data allows us to resolve internal variations in the FZ structure. The data consist of over 9800 direct P and over 2700 head wave arrival times from 450 events at up to 54 stations of a dense temporary seismic array and the permanent northern California seismic network in the area. One set of inversions is performed upon the whole data set, and five inversion sets are performed on various data subsets in an effort to resolve details of the FZ structure. The results imply a strong contrast of P-wave velocities across the fault of ∼50 per cent in the shallow section, and lower contrasts of 10‐20 per cent below 3 km, with the southwest being the side with faster velocities. The presence of a shallow low velocity zone around the fault, which could corresponds to the damage structures imaged in trapped wave studies, is detected by inversions using subsets of the data made up of only stations close to the fault. The faster southwest side of the fault shows the development of a shallow low velocity FZ layer in inversions using instruments closer and closer to the fault (<5 and <2 km). Such a feature is not present in results of inversions using only stations at greater distances from the fault. On the slower northeast side of the fault, the presence of a low velocity shallow layer is only detected in the inversions using the stations within 2 km of the fault. We interpret this asymmetry across the fault as a possible indication of a preferred propagation direction of earthquake ruptures in the region. Using events from different portions of the fault, the head wave inversions also resolve small-scale features of the fault visible in the surface geology and relocated seismicity.
Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors as Signal Integrators

▪ Abstract The inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R) is a Ca2+ release channel that responds to the second messenger IP3. Exquisite modulation of intracellular Ca2+ release via IP3Rs is achieved by the ability of IP3R to integrate signals from numerous small molecules and proteins including nucleotides, kinases, and phosphatases, as well as nonenzyme proteins. Because the ion conduction pore composes only ∼5% of the IP3R, the great bulk of this large protein contains recognition sites for these substances. Through these regulatory mechanisms, IP3R modulates diverse cellular functions, which include, but are not limited to, contraction/excitation, secretion, gene expression, and cellular growth. We review the unique properties of the IP3R that facilitate cell-type and stimulus-dependent control of function, with special emphasis on protein-binding partners.
Analytical and Biological Considerations in the Measurement of Cell-Associated CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA and Protein

The accurate measurement of T cell-associated CC chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) and CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression, including expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA as an immune measure of immunologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and newer agents, including entry inhibitors, is essential. Previous studies have reported alterations in lymphocyte cell membrane CCR5 expression that were related to blood collection and cell separation media. Clinical trials often require the transport of specimens to central laboratories for evaluation, resulting in significant time delays between specimen procurement and analysis. This study shows that CCR5 expression on naive and memory T cells is influenced by blood collection media and specimen age. Peripheral blood collected in Streck Vacutainer tubes containing a cell stabilizer and fixative was found to improve detection of CCR5 expression compared to specimens collected in K2 EDTA anticoagulant. The selection of flow cytometry gating strategies for the identification of naive and memory T-helper cells can also significantly influence the sensitivity of detection of CCR5 expression. Procedural methods are described that allow for the optimal measurement of naive and memory T-helper cell CCR5 and CXCR4 expression as well as the quantitation of CCR5 and CXCR4 mRNA.
Snakes as agents of evolutionary change in primate brains

Current hypotheses that use visually guided reaching and grasping to explain orbital convergence, visual specialization, and brain expansion in primates are open to question now that neurological evidence reveals no correlation between orbital convergence and the visual pathway in the brain that is associated with reaching and grasping. An alternative hypothesis proposed here posits that snakes were ultimately responsible for these defining primate characteristics. Snakes have a long, shared evolutionary existence with crown-group placental mammals and were likely to have been their first predators. Mammals are conservative in the structures of the brain that are involved in vigilance, fear, and learning and memory associated with fearful stimuli, e.g., predators. Some of these areas have expanded in primates and are more strongly connected to visual systems. However, primates vary in the extent of brain expansion. This variation is coincident with variation in evolutionary co-existence with the more recently evolved venomous snakes. Malagasy prosimians have never co-existed with venomous snakes, New World monkeys (platyrrhines) have had interrupted co-existence with venomous snakes, and Old World monkeys and apes (catarrhines) have had continuous co-existence with venomous snakes. The koniocellular visual pathway, arising from the retina and connecting to the lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus, and the pulvinar, has expanded along with the parvocellular pathway, a visual pathway that is involved with color and object recognition. I suggest that expansion of these pathways co-occurred, with the koniocellular pathway being crucially involved (among other tasks) in pre-attentional visual detection of fearful stimuli, including snakes, and the parvocellular pathway being involved (among other tasks) in protecting the brain from increasingly greater metabolic demands to evolve the neural capacity to detect such stimuli quickly. A diet that included fruits or nectar (though not to the exclusion of arthropods), which provided sugars as a neuroprotectant, may have been a required preadaptation for the expansion of such metabolically active brains. Taxonomic differences in evolutionary exposure to venomous snakes are associated with similar taxonomic differences in rates of evolution in cytochrome oxidase genes and in the metabolic activity of cytochrome oxidase proteins in at least some visual areas in the brains of primates. Raptors that specialize in eating snakes have larger eyes and greater binocularity than more generalized raptors, and provide non-mammalian models for snakes as a selective pressure on primate visual systems. These models, along with evidence from paleobiogeography, neuroscience, ecology, behavior, and immunology, suggest that the evolutionary arms race begun by constrictors early in mammalian evolution continued with venomous snakes. Whereas other mammals responded by evolving physiological resistance to snake venoms, anthropoids responded by enhancing their ability to detect snakes visually before the strike.
Brain Mechanisms of Maternal Behaviour in the Rat

The present article will review research into the neural mechanisms underlying maternal behaviour in the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus). It will concentrate on my own research findings which can be divided into two phases. The first phase centered around showing that the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus was directly involved in the control of maternal behaviour. The second phase, which has begun relatively recently, is asking the following question: Given that the MPOA is directly involved in the regulation of maternal behaviour, with what neural structures does the MPOA interact in order to influence maternal behaviour?
Reduced-order models for continuous MIMO systems via rational interpolation on a minimal set

A method for determination of reduced-order models (ROMs) for continuous multivariable plants is presented. The approach can be applied to stable or unstable plants with known transfer matrices or to stable plants with unknown transfer matrices. The method can be used for rapid online identification of ROMs for unknown stable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems by utilizing the moving discrete Fourier transform (MDFT). >
Variability of Air–Sea Interactions over the Indian Ocean Derived from Satellite Observations

Abstract Novel ways of monitoring the large-scale variability of the southwest monsoon in the Indian Ocean are presented using multispectral satellite datasets. The fields of sea surface temperature (SST), surface latent heat flux (LHF), net surface solar radiation (SW), precipitation (P), and SW − LHF over the Indian Ocean are analyzed to characterize the seasonal and interannual variability with special emphasis on the period 1988–90. It is shown that satellite data are able to make a significant contribution to the multiplatform strategy necessary to describe the large-scale spatial and temporal variability of air–sea interactions associated with the Indian Ocean Monsoon. The satellite data analyzed here has shown for the first time characteristics of the interannual variability of air–sea interactions over the entire Indian Ocean. Using monthly means of SST, LHF, SW, P, and the difference SW − LHF, the main features of the seasonal and interannual variability of air–sea interactions over the Indian Oc...
A low thermal budget, fully self-aligned lateral BJT on thin film SOI substrate for low power BiCMOS applications

A novel SDE LBJT on TFSOI substrate has been demonstrated. The fabrication process is self-aligned, with a minimum thermal budget, and is fully compatible with an SOI CMOS process. Good electrical results were obtained. The devices are expected to have good current drive and high frequency performance for low power applications.
Homoiterons and expansion in ribosomal RNAs

Ribosomal RNAs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes feature numerous repeats of three or more nucleotides with the same nucleobase (homoiterons). In prokaryotes these repeats are much more frequent in thermophile compared to mesophile or psychrophile species, and have similar frequency in both large RNAs. These features point to use of prokaryotic homoiterons in stabilization of both ribosomal subunits. The two large RNAs of eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes have expanded to a different degree across the evolutionary ladder. The big RNA of the larger subunit (60S LSU) evolved expansion segments of up to 2400 nucleotides, and the smaller subunit (40S SSU) RNA acquired expansion segments of not more than 700 nucleotides. In the examined eukaryotes abundance of rRNA homoiterons generally follows size and nucleotide bias of the expansion segments, and increases with GC content and especially with phylogenetic rank. Both the nucleotide bias and frequency of homoiterons are much larger in metazoan and angiosperm LSU compared to the respective SSU RNAs. This is especially pronounced in the tetrapod vertebrates and seems to culminate in the hominid mammals. The stability of secondary structure in polyribonucleotides would significantly connect to GC content, and should also relate to G and C homoiteron content. RNA modeling points to considerable presence of homoiteron-rich double-stranded segments especially in vertebrate LSU RNAs, and homoiterons with four or more nucleotides in the vertebrate and angiosperm LSU RNAs are largely confined to the expansion segments. These features could mainly relate to protein export function and attachment of LSU to endoplasmic reticulum and other subcellular networks.
Researching in Collectivist Cultures: Reflections and Recommendations.

Commonalities are presented from the experiences of U.S. nurse researchers who conducted studies in India, Jordan, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago. While planning research, it is important to engage collaborators who are members of the culture to be studied to understand what are culturally appropriate aims and methods. It is also vital to observe cultural etiquette, especially while gaining entree and collecting data. Issues related to data collection include timing it around local holidays and events, and adapting individualist methods for obtaining consent and data to be more respectful for those in a collectivist culture. Care must be taken to give back, to sharing findings, and insure sustainability for future research in the host culture. Based on these and other reflections, recommendations are offered to support investigators planning research in a culture that is not their own.
Sensors and Actuators

This chapter will discuss several kinds of sensors and actuators used to determine and control spacecraft attitude [26, 44, 54, 66]. The history of attitude sensor development has emphasized increased resolution and accuracy as well as decreased size, weight, and power (often abbreviated as SWaP). Actuator technologies have also been scaled down to be appropriate for microsatellites and cubesats. We begin with a brief introduction to redundancy considerations, and then consider some specific sensors and actuators.
Status report on NASA two-segment approach program

NASA, in cooperation with the FAA, is evaluating the two-segment approach as a routine procedure for reducing aircraft noise. The program calls for separate flight evaluations using a 727 and a DC-8, and an extrapolation of these results to determine the adaptability of the technique to the rest of the fleet. After a review of the total program, this paper presents (1) the profile and procedures developed and the noise reduction achievable, (2) the vortex characteristics behind an aircraft on a two-segment path, and (3) cost estimates for retrofitting aircraft with two-segment avionics.
The Association of Ambient Air Pollution with Twice Daily Peak Expiratory Flow Rate Measurements in Children

A stratified sample of 83 children living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, reported twice daily peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements on 3,582 child-days during the summer of 1990. Upon arising and before retiring, each child recorded the time, three PEFR measurements, and the presence of cold, cough, or wheeze symptoms. Ambient air pollution, including particle-strong acidity, was measured separately during the day (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and at night. Each child's maximum PEFR for each session was expressed as the deviation from his or her mean PEFR over the study and adjusted to a standard of 300 liters/minute. The session-specific average deviation was then calculated across all of the children. A second-order autoregressive model for PEFR was developed, which included a separate intercept for evening measurements, trend, temperature, and 12-hour average air pollutant concentration weighted by the number of hours each child spent outdoors during the previous 12-hour period. The results are expressed in terms of the interquartile range for each pollutant. A 12-hour exposure to a 125-nmol/m3 increment in particle-strong acidity was associated with a -2.5 liters/minute deviation in the group mean PEFR (95% confidence interval (CI) -4.2 to -0.8) and with increased cough incidence (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4). A 30-ppb increment in ozone for 12 hours was associated with a similar deviation in PEFR levels (-2.8, 95% CI -67 to 1.1). The association between PEFR and particle-strong acidity was observed among the 60 children who were reported as symptomatic on the prior symptom questionnaire (-2.5, 95% CI -4.5 to -0.5). The authors conclude that summer occurrences of excessive acid aerosol and particulate pollution are associated with declines in peak expiratory flow rates in children.
Low-Temperature LPCVD MEMS Technologies

This paper describes recent research on LPCVD processes for the fabrication of high-quality micro-mechanical structures on foundry CMOS wafers. In order to avoid damaging CMOS electronics with either aluminum or copper metallization, the MEMS process temperatures should be limited to a maximum of 450°C. This constraint rules out the conventional polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) as a candidate structural material for post-CMOS integrated MEMS. Polycrystalline silicon-germanium (poly-SiGe) alloys are attractive for modular integration of MEMS with electronics, because they can be deposited at much lower temperatures than poly-Si films, yet have excellent mechanical properties. In particular, in-situ doped p-type poly-SiGe films deposit rapidly at low temperatures and have adequate conductivity without post-deposition annealing. Poly-Ge can be etched very selectively to Si, SiGe, SiO2 and Si3N4 in a heated hydrogen peroxide solution, and can therefore be used as a sacrificial material to eliminate the need to protect the CMOS electronics during the MEMS-release etch. Low-resistance contact between a structural poly-SiGe layer and an underlying CMOS metal interconnect can be accomplished by deposition of the SiGe onto a typical barrier metal exposed in contact windows. We conclude with directions for further research to develop poly-SiGe technology for integrated inertial, optical, and RF MEMS applications.
Scientists and weapons procurement

(1980). Scientists and weapons procurement. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 36, No. 6, pp. 41-43.
Research that contributes to evidence-based practice

Evidence-based practice dominates healthcare practices and decision-making in many countries across the world. Evidence-based practice includes the integration of the best available research with t...
SYNCHRONOUS SPORULATION OF ASCOSPHAERA PROLIPERDA

A minimal medium containing glucose, phosphate-buffered saline, and (NH4)2S04, CaCl2, MgS04, FeS04, ZnS04, and agar was developed to insure the production of large number of synchronous ascocysts of Ascosphaera proliperda with minimal vegetative growth. This fungus is a larval pathogen of the alfalfa leaf cutting bee, Megachile rotundata. The synchronous production of ascocysts was essential for the isolation of two proteins associated with sexual reproduction of this fungus. To develop this medium, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources, and trace elements were studied for their effects on the differentiation of ascocysts. Over the pH range 5.4-8, pH 6 was the most suitable for production of synchronous ascocysts in abundance. Size of colonies grown on media containing galactose, sucrose, or glucose did not vary significantly; however, more ascocysts were produced with medium containing either sucrose or glucose. Only (NH4)2S04 at concentration of 0.25% was suitable as a nitrogen source. Other sources such as (NH4)2C03, NH4C1, and NH4N03 were not suitable for fungal growth or production of ascocysts. Medium lacking trace elements (B, CI, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, S, Zn) did not support fungal growth or ascocyst formation; only Fe, Mg, S and Zn were necessary for sporulation. To maximize synchronous contact between the two mating types, a mixture of hyphal fragments of both mating types was used as an inoculum in the tested media.
Inexpensive and Flexible Slit-Scanning Confocal Imaging Using a Rolling Electronic Aperture

The temporal synchronization between slit-scanning illumination and line-by-line CMOS detection permits the creation of a flexible electronic confocal aperture. A novel imaging system design is presented, highlighting the advantages and challenges to this technique.
The structure of the values of our cadets in the view of the Core values of soldiers from the contemporary

President Hu said an important military meeting, we should focus on strengthening the spiritual pillar of the officers and soldiers, and making great efforts to cultivate the core values of the contemporary revolution of " loyal to the party, love the people, serve the country and dedicate themselves to the mission of upholding honor" in military personnel.The values are belong to this special group of soldiers who is the owner as a common values, he is eligible and reflecting the fundamental interests and requirements of this group. China's Military Academy is an important component of China's military.But there are a variety of unknown values exist. And we should build the values of the Institute for China's military under the guidance of the core values in the contemporary military.
Nitrogen sources for parenteral nutrition in the newborn infant.

The protein requirement of the preterm and term infant approximates 2 to 3 gm/kg/day during early infancy. Although the requirements for individual amino acids are not precisely defined, it would appear that the newer parenteral amino acid solutions adequately meet recommended intakes for most amino acids and appear to be more ideally suited to the special needs of the very low birth weight infant.