cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Black is Beautiful: A Re-Examination of Racial Self-Identification

Previous research on racial self-idenrification employing the Draw-a-Person task suggests that black children most often tend to draw persons with Caucasian features (1, 2, 3 ) and also describe these persons in more culturally favorable adjectives than do Caucasian children (3) . Results concerning skin color, however, may have been confounded by the materials and criteria used in determining skin color. In these studies, children were given white paper and a pencil to draw a person and criteria for drawing a black person included shading of the skin surface ( I ) , inclusion of black facial features ( 2 ) , and checking of black or brown skin-color categories (3) . Black children's tendencies to describe their persons as having more culturally favorable qualities than Caucasian children's descriptions may have been confounded by the n a m e of the sample: middle-class Caucasian children and lower-class black children. Black children were thus expected to draw significantly more black persons than Caucasian persons given neutralcolored paper and an assortment of crayons. It was further hypothesized that black and Caucasian children would describe their persons in equally favorable adjectives when both samples were drawn from the lower class. Fifty black and 50 Caucasian children, ranging from 9 to 11 yr. of age, were randomly selected from the total sample. All children attended public elementary schools in Southeastern Michigan and were of lower socio-economic status. Subjects were given a sheet of light blue construction paper and seven crayons: black, brown, apricot (formerly "f lesh) , red, orange, blue, and green. Two large boxes of multi-colored crayons were also placed at both ends of the room. A 44-item adjective checklist was attached to the reverse side of the paper; groups of items related to status, physical characteristics, and personal characteristics. Eighty-six percent of the black children drew a person with a black or brown crayon and 70% of the Caucasian children drew a person with the apricot crayon. Chi square analyses indicated that, over-all, black and Caucasian children described their persons in equally favorable adjectives. Black children also described their persons significantly as being harder workers, more attractive, admired, dependable, and having longer and curlier hair than Caucasian children. These findings do not support the previously postulated hypothesis about cultural value in which all children value Caucasian features. The results suggest an updated hypothesis wherein the development of black consciousness within the black subculture has led to improved valuation of black features. Lower-class black and Caucasian children appear to have a race-free conception of those qualities deemed desirable in American culture.
Direct determination of soil surface-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in petroleum-contaminated soils by real-time aerosol mass spectrometry

Soil surface-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified by use of Real-Time Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (RTAMS) in two NIST standard research material (SRM) soils (Montana SRM 2710 and Peruvian SRM 4355) each contaminated separately with three common petroleum hydrocarbons (diesel fuel, gasoline, and kerosene). The described contaminated soil analysis required no sample preparation. Direct laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric analysis of individual soil particles contaminated with each of the petroleum hydrocarbons at three different contamination levels (0.8, 8, and 80 ppth (wt/wt)) yielded detectable PAH cation distributions that ranged from m/z 128 to 234, depending on the fuel contaminant. The same analysis performed on uncontaminated SRM soils revealed very little (Peruvian) to no (Montana) detectable PAH species. Size analysis showed that most of the individual soil particles analyzed were between 1 and 5 μm in diameter. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments identif...
Online Versus Offline in the United States: Are the Media Shrinking?

We find that combined revenues for 10 major media in the United States have steadily declined as a proportion of overall economic activity or gross domestic product GDP from 1999 to at least 2009 the latest year for which we have complete data. For individual media, we find a generally consistent pattern in which increasing revenues from Internet distribution are exceeded by declines in revenues from established distribution channels, with the exception of television and video games, whose revenues have so far kept pace with GDP. We also report a marked overall shift from advertiser to direct payment support for the media industries over this period. We consider four possible reasons for these revenue trends: shifts in consumer media usage, reduced appropriability due to more difficult copyright protection, inadequate advertising business models, and reduced costs due to more efficient Internet distribution. Our analysis suggests we may be entering an era of a declining size of media industries in terms of conventional measures, but not necessarily a falling supply of media products themselves.
Remote sensing reflectance in the near infrared derived from SeaWiFS: implications for river plume particle size distribution, atmospheric correction, and bio-optical algorithms

Remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) in the near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths is assumed negligible over open ocean clear waters, a basis for atmospheric correction of remote ocean color sensors such as the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS). For turbid river plumes such assumption is no longer valid, and various alternative approaches have been proposed for atmospheric correction. The default option in SeaDAS uses an iterative approach assuming a fixed relationship between Rrs at 670, 765, and 865 nm. However, because such relationship depends on the particle size in the plume, its validity needs to be investigated globally. Using SeaWiFS data and nearest-neighboring atmospheric correction, we derive and compare the relationship for several major river plumes including the Mississippi, the Amazon, and the Yangtze (Changjiang). The results are used to validate a spectra-matching optimization approach starting from the top of atmosphere (TOA) at-sensor radiance to take into account of both atmospheric correction and bio-optical inversion. Because reliable values of Rrs(NIR) in turbid river plumes are difficult to obtain from in situ measurements due to the self-shading of underwater instruments, such relationships also provide baseline data for correcting the stray-light contamination of above-water Rrs measurements, which will further help refine bio-optical algorithms.
The oncogene Nup98-HOXA9 induces gene transcription in myeloid cells

The nucleoporin Nup98 gene is frequently rearranged in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In most cases this results in fusion of the N terminus of Nup98 to the DNA binding domain of a homeodomain transcription factor. The prototype of these fusions, Nup98-HOXA9, is associated with human AML and induces AML in mouse models. To understand the mechanisms by which Nup98-HOXA9 causes AML, we expressed it in myeloid cells and identified its target genes using high density oligonucleotide microarrays. The analysis was performed in triplicate and was confirmed by quantitative real time PCR. Of the 102 Nup98-HOXA9 target genes identified, 92 were up-regulated, and only 10 were down-regulated, suggesting a transcriptional activation function. A similar analysis of wild-type HOXA9 revealed 13 target genes, 12 of which were up-regulated, and 1 was down-regulated. In contrast, wild-type Nup98 had no effect on gene expression, demonstrating that the HOXA9 DNA binding domain is required for gene regulation. Co-transfection experiments using a luciferase reporter linked to the promoter of one of the Nup98-HOXA9 target genes confirmed up-regulation at the transcriptional level by Nup98-HOXA9 but not by either HOXA9 or Nup98. These data indicate that Nup98-HOXA9 is an aberrant transcription factor whose activity depends on the HOXA9 DNA binding domain but has a stronger and wider transcriptional effect than HOXA9. Several of the genes regulated by Nup98-HOXA9 are associated with increased cell proliferation and survival as well as drug metabolism, providing insights into the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Nup98-HOXA9-induced AML.
Situation models and retrieval interference: Pictures and words

Previous studies have found that interference in long-term memory retrieval occurs when information cannot be integrated into a single situation model, but this interference is greatly reduced or absent when the information can be so integrated. The current study looked at the influence of presentation format-sentences or pictures-on this observed pattern. When sentences were used at memorisation and recognition, a spatial organisation was observed. In contrast, when pictures were used, a different pattern of results was observed. Specifically, there was an overall speed-up in response times, and consistent evidence of interference. Possible explanations for this difference were examined in a third experiment using pictures during learning, but sentences during recognition. The results from Experiment 3 were consistent with the organisation of information into situation models in long-term memory, even from pictures. This suggests that people do create situation models when learning pictures, but their recognition memory may be oriented around more "verbatim", surface-form memories of the pictures.
Amplified electrocatalysis at DNA-modified nanowires

Arrayed gold nanowires are a novel and useful platform for electrochemical DNA detection. Pilot studies testing the use of these templated structures with an electrocatalytic reporter system revealed that very low detection thresholds for target DNA sequences can be obtained. One factor contributing to the heightened sensitivity is the high signal-to-noise ratio achieved with the large electrocatalytic signals observed at DNA-modified nanowires. Here, we explain the improved sensitivity with evidence illustrating that electrocatalysis at DNA-modified nanostructures generates amplified signals that are significantly larger than those observed at bulk gold surfaces. The results presented strongly suggest that the three-dimensional architectures of the nanowires facilitate the electrocatalytic reaction because of enhanced diffusion occurring around these structures. Effects unique to the nanoscale are shown to underlie the utility of nanowires for DNA biosensing.
Simulated limnological effects of the Shasta Lake temperature control device

We estimated the effects of a temperature control device (TCD) on a suite of thermodynamic and limnological attributes for a large storage reservoir, Shasta Lake, in northern California. Shasta Dam was constructed in 1945 with a fixed-elevation penstock. The TCD was installed in 1997 to improve downstream temperatures for endangered salmonids by releasing epilimnetic waters in the winter/spring and hypolimnetic waters in the summer/fall. We calibrated a two-dimensional hydrodynamic reservoir water quality model, CE-QUAL-W2, and applied a structured design-of-experiment simulation procedure to predict the principal limnological effects of the TCD under a variety of environmental scenarios. Calibration goodness-of-fit ranged from good to poor depending on the constituent simulated, with an R 2 of 0.9 for water temperature but 0.3 for phytoplankton. Although the chemical and thermal characteristics of the discharge changed markedly, the reservoir's characteristics remained relatively unchanged. Simulations showed the TCD causing an earlier onset and shorter duration of summer stratification, but no dramatic affect on Shasta's nutrient composition. Peak in-reservoir phytoplankton production may begin earlier and be stronger in the fall with the TCD, while outfall phytoplankton concentrations may be much greater in the spring. Many model predictions differed from our a priori expectations that had been shaped by an intensive, but limited-duration, data collection effort. Hydrologic and meteorological variables, most notably reservoir carryover storage at the beginning of the calendar year, influenced model predictions much more strongly than the TCD. Model results indicate that greater control over reservoir limnology and release quality may be gained by carefully managing reservoir volume through the year than with the TCD alone. RID="" ID="" Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: John_BartholowcUSGS.gov
Public arguing in the regulation of health and safety

A perspective on the rhetorical rules of proponents and opponents of health and safety regulation is presented and applied in analyzing two 1977 regulatory controversies. The proposed ban on saccharin is explored in detail, while the attempt to ban Tris‐treated sleepwear is presented as a contrast. Implications of the perspective and critical analysis for regulatory proponents are suggested.
The R-dependent forbidden transition moments for c 3Πu → b 3Σu+ of H2

Abstract The electric-quadrupole and the magnetic-dipole transition moments between the ν=0 state of metastable c 3 Π u and the dissociative b 3 Σ u + states of H 2 were computed as a function of R . The accurately calculated transition probabilities for c 3 Π u →b 3 Σ u + are compared with that from the Franck-Condon approximation. The simple c 3 Π u state electronic wavefunction, generated here for a wide range of R , yields an excellent potential energy, which agrees closely with the best available potential energy calculated from an extensive 75-term elliptical function.
IRBP enhances removal of 11- cis -retinaldehyde from isolated RPE membranes.

Abstract Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) greatly enhances the conversion of all-trans -retinol to 11- cis -retinal by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and facilitates 11- cis -retinal release from the RPE. However, the mechanisms by which IRBP exerts these effects are not clear. Using a model system of purified bovine IRBP and isolated bovine RPE membranes, we investigated the possibility that IRBP may favor the delivery of all-trans -retinol to, or the release of 11- cis -retinal from, RPE membranes. As the interphotoreceptor space contains serum retinol-binding protein (RBP) and serum albumin in addition to IRBP, we similarly examined the exchange of retinoids between RPE membranes and human RBP or bovine serum albumin (BSA). Isolated RPE membranes were loaded with radioactive 11-cis -retinal and incubated with solutions of IRBP, RBP, BSA or with buffer alone. Membranes (pellet) and retinoid-binding protein or buffer (supernatant) were separated by centrifugation and analysed for radioactive 11- cis -retinal. Membranes incubated with buffer alone released only 4–5% of their 11- cis -retinal, while 25 μ m IRBP removed 18–35%. More retinal was released as the membrane concentration was reduced. In contrast, RBP and BSA removed little retinal, even though both proteins are capable of binding this retinoid. Similar results were obtained with bovine liver membranes, consistent with the idea that the effects of IRBP do not depend on an RPE surface receptor for IRBP. IRBP was also markedly superior to RBP and BSA in removing all- trans -retinol from RPE membranes. In addition, IRBP efficiently delivered bound all- trans -retinol to membranes; however, in contrast to their differential removal of retinoids, all three binding proteins delivered comparable amounts of retinol to membranes. (This result supports the practice of using BSA as a retinoid carrier in in vitro experimental systems). We conclude that, whereas IRBP shares with other retinoid-binding proteins the ability to deliver retinol to membranes, IRBP is unique in its capacity to remove 11- cis -retinal from membranes. This may be the feature of IRBP that drives the vitamin A cycle to efficiently produce 11- cis -retinal.
Relapsing and remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in B cell deficient mice

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model for the human autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease multiple sclerosis (MS). To examine the role of B cells in EAE with a relapsing and remitting disease course (R-EAE) we generated (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 mice deficient in B cells by disrupting their mu heavy chain transmembrane region (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 muMT-/-. By immunizing (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 and (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 muMT-/- mice with the encephalitogenic N-terminal peptide Acl-11 of myelin basic protein (MBP), we observed that B-cell deficient mice exhibited a relapsing and remitting disease course. Since a similar day of onset and day of first relapse were observed these data suggest that B cells do not play a vital role in the activation of T cells leading to the initiation of EAE, nor in the reactivation of T cells resulting in R-EAE.
Elastic and Inelastic Recovery After Plastic Deformation of DQSK Steel Sheet

Strain recovery after plastic prestrain and associated elastic and inelastic behavior during loading and unloading of DQSK steel sheet are measured. Average tangent modulus and Poisson's ratio during unloading and reloading are found to differ from their elastic values in the undeformed state and they also vary as a function of stress. This modulus, often referred to as the springback modulus, decreases with plastic prestrain rapidly for prestrain values <2 percent and decays slowly for larger values of prestrain, while the average Poisson's ratio during unloading increases with plastic prestrain initially rapidly and then remains almost unchanged at larger prestrain. Changes in the springback modulus and Poisson's ratio are shown to be due to recovery of microplastic strain and not due to viscoelastic effects. Springback modulus and Poisson's ratio are anisotropic, showing a maximum in modulus and a minimum in Poisson's ratio at 45 deg to rolling direction. To describe the combination of recoverable inelastic and elastic deformation as a function of plastic prestrain, a set of equations has been developed based upon a previously developed constitutive model. Calculated results are capable of explaining experimental results on modulus and Poisson's ratio changes. Implication of the results on springback is illustrated and empirical relations are obtained.
Bloom on chocolate chips baked in cookies

Abstract It is somewhat surprising that chocolate chips baked in cookies do not exhibit bloom despite what seems to be sufficient heat to melt and break temper of the chocolate. We hypothesize that fat migration from the cookie dough into the molten chocolate chip during baking disrupts cocoa butter crystallization upon cooling and is responsible for this bloom inhibition. To test this hypothesis, both chocolate chip cookies and a sand–fat model system were baked with different types and levels of fat in the matrix. Bloom was evaluated 10 days after baking by image analysis of stereomicroscope images to quantify white areas on the flat bottom surface of oriented chips in sample cookies. All fats used in the dough, except cocoa butter, were shown to inhibit bloom when fat levels were sufficiently high. For palm oil and olive oil, a minimum degree of fat migration of about 16% was required to inhibit bloom. Below this critical level, bloom was observed on chocolate chips. A sand model system was also studied with palm oil. Since a higher level of fat migration was required to inhibit bloom for the sand model system than for cookies, other ingredients in the cookie dough must also play a role in bloom inhibition.
Education impact of evolutionary software development

The paradigm shift from waterfall to evolutionary software development (that includes agile development) has been widespread in industry, but academia is still struggling with it. This position paper reiterates the reasons for the paradigm shift that illustrate the importance of the shift. The position paper then discusses what the shift means for the software engineering education. As an example, it briefly presents how software engineering is taught at Wayne State University.
A PARADOX OF INTUITION: HEDGING THE LIMIT OR HEDGING IN THE LIMIT?

Here we review the notion of covergence in Ito calculus and its application to the Black-Scholes options pricing model and its extensions. The concept of covergence is fundamental to the development of the differential calculus of stochastic processes. It is also the key to understanding the validity of the no arbitrage condition imposed by Black and Scholes (1973) that leads to their options pricing equation.
Brief Communication: Tissue Isotopic Enrichment Associated With Growth Depression in a Pig: Implications for Archaeology and Ecology

Stressors such as fasting or poor diet quality are thought to potentially alter the nitrogen and carbon isotopic values of animal tissues. In this study, we demonstrate an inverse correlation between growth rate and multiple tissue enrichment of delta(15)N, delta(13)C, and, to a lesser degree, delta(18)O in a juvenile pig. A more complex pattern is observed with respect to tissue deltaD and growth rate. The observed association between growth rate and tissue isotopic fractionation has important implications for paleodietary and migratory reconstructions of archaeological populations that may have been affected by famine, malnutrition, seasonal variation in food availability, and/or other factors that can affect childhood growth rates.
Developmental regulation of the base excision repair enzyme uracil DNA glycosylase in the rat

The developmental regulation of the mammalian DNA-repair enzyme uracil DNA glycosylase was examined in the rat at specific intervals ranging from -4 days before to 106 days after birth. Enzyme activity was quantitated by in vitro biochemical assay. In the adult animal, as measured in crude cell extracts, three organs (liver, kidney and spleen) had significant levels of activity. In contrast, three organs (brain, heart and lung) had low activity. Partial purification of this enzyme identified one major species of molecular weight 32,700 Da, demonstrating the quantitation of the nuclear glycosylase. During development, with the exception of the liver, the specific activity of the glycosylase paralleled the regulation of DNA synthesis. In these organs the highest levels of the glycosylase and the rate of DNA replication were observed around the time of birth. In the liver, DNA replication was similarly regulated. However, glycosylase activity was minimal at early stages of life. Instead, maximal levels were observed at 14-21 days after birth. At that time DNA replication was severely reduced. These results demonstrate that individual organs express this DNA-repair enzyme in a distinct and specific pattern during development. Accordingly, the regulation of the uracil DNA glycosylase during development may provide a model system to examine the differential regulation of DNA-repair genes.
The intravenous perfluorocarbon emulsion Oxycyte does not increase hyperbaric oxygen-related seizures in a non-sedated swine model.

Purpose Standard treatment for decompression sickness (DCS) is recompression therapy with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Non-recompressive therapies are needed to address mass casualty scenarios such as a disabled submarine rescue or DCS therapy in remote environments. Intravenously delivered perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions improve blood oxygen content and decrease mortality in several animal models of DCS. However, the enhanced oxygen delivery of PFC emulsions may increase CNS oxygen toxicity (seizures) risk when used in conjunction with HBO. We studied seizure latency and duration in swine randomized to receive PFC or normal saline with 6 ATA of oxygen.
Predicting Planets in Known Extrasolar Planetary Systems. II. Testing for Saturn Mass Planets

Recent results have shown that many of the known extrasolar planetary systems contain regions that are stable for massless test particles. We examine the possibility that Saturn mass planets exist in these systems, just below the detection threshold, and predict likely orbital parameters for such unseen planets. We insert a Saturn mass planet into the regions stable for massless test particles and integrate the system for 100 million years. We conduct 200-600 of these experiments to test parameter space in 55 Cancri, HD 37124, HD 38529, and HD 74156. In 55 Cnc we find three maxima of the survival rate of Saturn mass planets, located in semimajor axis a and eccentricity e space at (a,e) = (1.0 AU, 0.02), (2.0 AU, 0.08), and (3.0 AU, 0.17). In HD 37124 the maximum lies at a = 0.90-98 AU, eccentricity e ~ 0.05-0.15. In HD 38529, only 5% of Saturn mass planets are unstable, and the region in which a Saturn mass planet could survive is very broad, centered on 0.5 < a < 0.6, e < 0.15. In HD 74156 we find a broad maximum at a = 0.9-1.4 AU, e ≤ 0.15. These orbital values are initial conditions, and not always the most likely values for detection. Several are located in the habitable zones of their parent stars and are of astrobiological interest. We suggest the possibility that companions may lie in these locations of parameter space, and encourage further observational investigation of these systems.
Heart Rate Variability and Head-up Tilt Testing in Patients With Syncope of Undetermined Etiology

Indices of heart rate variability are non-invasive indicators of neural control of the heart. To investigate the significance of changes in heart rate variability in neurally mediated syncope, we performed head-up tilt testing in 45 patients with syncope of undetermined etiology. Seventeen patients showed a negative response and 28 showed a positive response; 18 had a vasodepressor response (systolic blood pressure dropped > or = 50% without a decrease in heart rate) and 10 had a vasovagal response (systolic blood pressure dropped > or = 50% with a decrease in heart rate of > or = 30%). The mean RR-interval, the standard deviation of normal sinus RR-intervals (standard deviation of RR-interval) and power spectra were measured in consecutive 2 min periods throughout the study. Power spectra consisted of low frequency (0.04-0.15 Hz), high frequency (0.15-0.40 Hz) and total spectra (0.01-1.0 Hz). Both high frequency spectra and the low/high frequency spectra ratio significantly changed with head-up tilt testing regardless of the response. However, high frequency, low frequency and total spectra increased in relation to symptoms. These changes were most profound in the high frequency spectra of subjects with a vasovagal response. Since high frequency spectra reflect parasympathetic tone, a profound change in the high frequency spectra implies that parasympathetic activities play a significant role in patients with a vasovagal response. The assessment of heart rate variability during head-up tilt testing can provide new insight into the pathogenesis of syncope of undetermined etiology.
One loop corrections to quantum hadrodynamics with vector mesons

The renormalized elastic \ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi} scattering amplitude to one loop is calculated in the chiral limit in the \ensuremath{\sigma} model and in a quantum hadrodynamic model (QHD-III) with vector mesons. It is argued that QHD-III reduces to the linear \ensuremath{\sigma} model in the limit that the vector meson masses become large. The pion decay constant is also calculated to 1-loop in the \ensuremath{\sigma} model, and at tree level in QHD-III; it is shown that the coefficient of the tree level term in the scattering amplitude equals ${F}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}.$ The 1-loop correction of ${F}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ in QHD-III violates strong isospin current conservation. Thus, it is concluded that QHD-III can, at best, only describe the strongly interacting nuclear sector.
Diagnosis, etiology, and therapy of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by diffuse pain, multiple tender points, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Its frequent concurrence with rheumatic diseases modifies the clinical picture of the "primary" disease. This article reviews new information about the etiopathogenesis and treatment of this syndrome.
THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY: ASSURING ONLINE TEACHING SUCCESS

The Virtual Academy is a program that responds to the Community College of Baltimore County's (CCBC's) desire to deliver high quality, pedagogically sound, online instruction “anytime, anyplace and...
Cloning of genes required for hypersensitivity and pathogenicity in Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata

A genomic library of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata strain NCPPB 2664, which causes bacterial blight of sugar beet, lettuce and other plants, was constructed in the cosmid vector pCPP31. The 13.4 kb EcoRI fragment of the cosmid pHIR11, containing the hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene cluster of the closely related bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae strain 61, was used as a probe to identify a homologous hrp gene cluster in P. syringae pv. aptata. Thirty of 2500 cosmid clones, screened by colony hybridization, gave a strong hybridization signal with the probe, but none of these conferred to the non-pathogenic bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, the ability to elicit the hypersensitive response (HR) in tobacco. Southern blot analysis of EcoRI-digested genomic DNA of P. syringae pv. aptata showed hybridizing bands of 12 kb and 4.4 kb. Only a 12 kb fragment hybridized in digests of the cosmids. Cosmid clone pCPP1069 was mutagenized with Tn10-minitet and marker-exchanged into the genome of P. syringae pv. aptata. Three resulting prototrophic mutant strains failed to elicit the HR in tobacco and to cause disease in lettuce. The DNA flanking the Tn10-minitet insertions from mutated derivatives of pCPP1069 hybridized with the 10.6 kb Bg/II fragment of pHIR11. These results indicate that P. syringae pv. aptata harbours hrp genes that are similar to, but arranged differently from, homologous hrp genes of P. syringae pv. syringae.
Central auditory processing abilities of adolescent and preadolescent stuttering and nonstuttering children

Abstract A relationship between auditory processing disorders and stuttering has been suggested by previous researchers. However, no definitive answer has been given relative to this question. The purpose of this study was to investigate central auditory processing abilities in individuals classified as stutterers and nonstutterers. Specifically, tests of central auditory processing were given to an experimental group of adolescent males diagnosed as having moderate and severe fluency disorders and an adolescent control group classified as having normal communication abilities. The test results indicated no significant differences between the two groups on the central auditory processing tasks, except for the left competing condition on the Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSW). While it is tempting to speculate that this left competing condition on the SSW may be useful in differentiation between stutterers and nonstutterers, further research is needed. In particular, future studies should be conducted to determine if a central auditory test battery, administered to pre-adolescent children, might be important to differential diagnosis in general, and to the determination of possible stuttering subgroups in particular.
Particle Impact Theory Including Surface Asperity Deformation and Recovery

Abstract A new particle impact theory was proposed, which incorporated plastic deformation and elastic recovery of surface asperities into the overall energy balance of the impact process. Asperity heights were assumed to follow a truncated Gaussian distribution. The energy transfer associated with the deformation and recovery of asperities was derived based on the previous theoretical treatments of thermal contact resistance. It was found that even nanometer level roughness had significant effects on the rebound of micron size particles. The energy loss thus caused could explain the mysterious strong power–law dependence on particle size of critical velocity. Measurements of Wall et al. were compared with the theory. Good agreement had been reached between the theory and experiments for both coefficients of restitution and particle size dependence of critical velocity.
Coordinating the approach to bluetongue.

SIR, — I would like to congratulate the British Cattle Veterinary Association (bcva) on organising a superb day meeting on bluetongue virus (btv) last week. An impressive multinational and multi-disciplinary panel of speakers explained the potential of the impact of btv on the uk livestock
Smectic liquid crystals in an anisotropic random environment.

We report a high-resolution x-ray scattering study of the smectic liquid crystal octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) confined to aligned colloidal aerosil gels. The aligned gels introduce orientational fields that promote long-range nematic order while imposing positional random fields that couple to the smectic density wave and disrupt the formation of an ordered smectic phase. At low densities of aerosil, the low-temperature scattering intensity is consistent with the presence of a topologically ordered XY Bragg glass phase that is predicted to form in response to such anisotropic quenched disorder. The observed features of the phase include an algebraic decay of the smectic correlations, which is truncated at large length scales due to the imperfect nematic order, and a power-law exponent that agrees closely with the universal value predicted for the XY Bragg glass. At higher aerosil densities, deviations from the XY Bragg glass form are apparent. At high temperature, the scattering intensity displays pretransitional dynamic fluctuations associated with the destroyed nematic to smectic-A transition. The fluctuations obey quasicritical behavior over an extended range of reduced temperature. The effective critical exponents for the correlation lengths and smectic susceptibility differ systematically from those of pure 8CB, indicating that coupling of the nematic order to themore » gel suppresses its role in the smectic critical behavior.« less
Benzimidazole- and benzoxazole-based inhibitors of Rho kinase

Inhibitors of Rho kinase have been developed based on two distinct scaffolds, benzimidazoles, and benzoxazoles. SAR studies and efforts to optimize the initial lead compounds are described. Novel selective inhibitors of ROCK-II with excellent potency in both enzyme and cell-based assays were obtained. These inhibitors possess good microsomal stability, low cytochrome P-450 inhibitions and good oral bioavailability.
Simultaneous wafer-scale vacuum encapsulation and microstructure cladding with LPCVD polycrystalline 3C-SiC

This work reports a novel wafer-scale packaging method whereby MEMS devices are simultaneously vacuum sealed in a micromachined cavity and clad with a thin polycrystalline silicon carbide (poly-SiC) film. The deposition of poly-SiC is controlled by adjusting the precursor flow rates to yield a uniform film with low residual stress and moderate resistivity to prevent film cracking and device shorting. Functioning poly-SiC clad, silicon-core resonators are tested. Comparison of the resonator quality factor (Q) to a pressure-Q calibration curve determines the pressure within the sealed cavity to be 8 mBar.
Early diagnosis of lung cancer.

A large randomized controlled trial, TheNational Lung Screening Study (NLST), has demonstrated that screening with low-dose spiral computed tomography saved lives from lung cancer when compared with screening with chest radiographs. This is the first test showing efficacy in screening for lung cancer as previous trials of chest radiographs and sputum cytology failed to result in fewer deaths with screening. This review will examine the problem of lung cancer, the issues presented by screening, and the results of computed tomography (CT) studies for lung cancer screening. Now that CT screening has been shown to be effective, implementation of screening becomes the next step.
Molecular weight distribution and rheological properties of polyisobutylene solutions

The molecular weight distribution of a series of polyisobutylenes was determined using osmotic pressure measurements, gel permeation chromatography, and intrinsic viscosity. All of the polymers except for one, a blend of the highest and lowest molecular weight constituents, had similar moderate molecular weight distributions. The “extended chain length” method of calibrating the gel permeation chromatograph for polyisobutylenes was found to be effective. Steady state and transient shear stresses and normal stresses were measured on 5% decalin solutions of these polymers. The zero shear viscosity increased with the 3.3 power of molecular weight, and the zero shear normal stress coefficient (σ11 − σ22)/Γ2 varied with the 7.5 power. Relative elastic memory as measured by (σ11 − σ22)/σ12 or stress relaxation increased with increasing molecular weight (and at constant number- or weight-average molecular weight) with breadth of distribution. Stress overshoot also correlated with this tendency.
Increased through-transmission in abdominal tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Objective To describe 2 cases of abdominal tuberculosis in which sonographic evaluation of mesenteric lymphadenopathy showed increased through-transmission suggestive of caseating necrosis. Methods Two patients with abdominal pain and other symptoms (including fever, diarrhea, and weight loss) underwent abdominal sonography with a 6-MHz curved array transducer. One patient also underwent sonographically guided fine-needle aspiration of multiple lymph nodes, and the other underwent computed tomography, colonoscopy, and colon biopsy. Results In both patients, sonography showed multiple rounded hypoechoic lesions with increased ultrasound through-transmission suggestive of necrotic lymphadenopathy. No color flow was shown. In 1 case, the posterior acoustic enhancement was accentuated in the harmonic imaging mode. In the other case, the lesions shown on sonography corresponded to computed tomographic findings of low-density lymph nodes. Results of fine-needle aspiration and colon biopsy were positive for tuberculosis. Conclusions Posterior acoustic enhancement in abdominal lymphadenopathy can suggest the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis. Detection of this finding is facilitated by scanning in the harmonic mode. Necrotic nodes will lack color flow and can be distinguished from lymphadenopathy of other causes. Sonography can also be used for fine-needle aspiration of necrotic nodes to yield a definitive diagnosis.
Fundamental Properties of Non-Negative Impulse Response Filters

This paper provides insights into some fundamental properties of non-negative impulse response (NNIR) digital filters. In particular, performance restrictions in the frequency domain due to the non-negativity constraint are investigated. It is shown that the gain drop in the frequency response near zero frequency affects the response over the entire frequency spectrum. The passband and stopband gains are shown to be severely limited. It is further shown that stopband and passband locations can be chosen freely with the exception of a mandatory passband around zero. Extensions of the presented results to the continuous-time (C-T) domain as well as duality results are also briefly presented.
Loss of Synaptic Depression in Mammalian Anterior Cingulate Cortex after Amputation

Two forms of activity-dependent long-term depression (LTD) in the CNS, as defined by their sensitivity to the blockade of NMDA receptors, are thought to be important in learning, memory, and development. Here, we report that NMDA receptor-independent LTD is the major form of long-term plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Both L-type voltage-gated calcium channels and metabotropic glutamate receptors are required for inducing LTD. Amputation of a third hindpaw digit in an adult rat induced rapid expression of immediate early genes in the ACC bilaterally and caused a loss of LTD that persisted for at least 2 weeks. Our results suggest that synaptic LTD in the ACC may contribute to enhanced neuronal responses to subsequent somatosensory stimuli after amputation.
Empyema complicating closed intrapleural pneumonolysis and artificial pneumothorax.

1)The incidence of the tuberculous empyema was studied in a group of difficult closed intrapleural pneumonolyses and in two control pneumothorax groups. 2)The pneumonolysis group showed an empyema rate of 31.7 per cent as compared with 8.4 and 12.9 per cent in the control groups. 3)The more important factors contributing to the high rate were the technical difficulty of the operation, the nature of the adhesions, and the nature of the pulmonary lesion. 4)The time of empyema development showed a common curve pattern for all groups. There is no one set time that can be designated as a pneumonolysis postoperative period but an indefinite time limited by the duration of the pneumothorax. For practical purposes a period of 18 months is adequate.
Nonlinear convection in a layer with nearly insulating boundaries

A general class of solutions is studied describing three-dimensional steady convection flows in a fluid layer heated from below with boundaries of low thermal conductivity. Non-linear properties of the solutions are analysed and the physically realizable convection flow is determined by a stability analysis with respect to arbitrary three-dimensional disturbances. The most surprising result is that square-pattern convection is preferred in contrast to two-dimensional rolls that represent the only form of stable convection in a symmetric layer with highly conducting boundaries. The analysis is carried out in the limit of infinite Prandtl number and for a particular boundary configuration. But it is shown that the results hold for arbitrary Prandtl number to the order to which they have been derived and that other assumptions about the boundaries require only minor modifications as long as their thermal conductance remains low.
Effects of Land Use on Plague (Yersinia pestis) Activity in Rodents in Tanzania

Understanding the effects of land-use change on zoonotic disease risk is a pressing global health concern. Here, we compare prevalence of Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, in rodents across two land-use types-agricultural and conserved-in northern Tanzania. Estimated abundance of seropositive rodents nearly doubled in agricultural sites compared with conserved sites. This relationship between land-use type and abundance of seropositive rodents is likely mediated by changes in rodent and flea community composition, particularly via an increase in the abundance of the commensal species, Mastomys natalensis, in agricultural habitats. There was mixed support for rodent species diversity negatively impacting Y. pestis seroprevalence. Together, these results suggest that land-use change could affect the risk of local transmission of plague, and raise critical questions about transmission dynamics at the interface of conserved and agricultural habitats. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding disease ecology in the context of rapidly proceeding landscape change.
Expression of a Novel Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Gene and a paired-like Homeobox Gene Provides Evidence of Differences in Patterning at the Oral and Aboral Ends of Hydra

Axial patterning of the aboral end of the hydra body column was examined using expression data from two genes. One, shin guard, is a novel receptor protein-tyrosine kinase gene expressed in the ectoderm of the peduncle, the end of the body column adjacent to the basal disk. The other gene, manacle, is a paired-like homeobox gene expressed in differentiating basal disk ectoderm. During regeneration of the aboral end, expression of manacle precedes that of shin guard. This result is consistent with a requirement for induction of peduncle tissue by basal disk tissue. Our data contrast with data on regeneration of the oral end. During oral end regeneration, markers for tissue of the tentacles, which lie below the extreme oral end (the hypostome), are detected first. Later, markers for the hypostome itself appear at the regenerating tip, with tentacle markers displaced to the region below. Additional evidence that tissue can form basal disk without passing through a stage as peduncle tissue comes from LiCl-induced formation of patches of ectopic basal disk tissue. While manacle is ectopically expressed during formation of basal disk patches, shin guard is not. The genes examined also provide new information on development of the aboral end in buds. Although adult hydra are radially symmetrical, expression of both genes in the bud's aboral end is initially asymmetrical, appearing first on the side of the bud closest to the parent's basal disk. The asymmetry can be explained by differences in positional information in the body column tissue that evaginates to form a bud. As predicted by this hypothesis, grafts reversing the orientation of evaginating body column tissue also reverse the orientation of asymmetrical gene expression.
Lung lining fluid antioxidants in male broilers: age-related changes under thermoneutral and cold temperature conditions

The purpose of this study was to determine age-related changes in lung lining fluid antioxidants in broilers reared under thermoneutral or cold temperature conditions. Male broilers (Cobb 500) were placed in floor pens within environmental chambers and fed a standard commercial starter diet. The thermoneutral Control chamber was maintained at 32, 30, 27, and 22 to 25 C for Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 to 7, respectively, whereas temperature in the Cold chamber was lowered to 18 C during Week 3 and maintained between 15 and 18 C for the rest of the study. At 2, 4, and 7 wk, four to six birds per chamber were selected randomly. The lungs were lavaged with heparinized saline (2 mL/g lung) to obtain lung lining fluid. Antioxidants [reduced (GSH), oxidized (GSSG), and total (TGSH) glutathione, uric acid, ascorbic acid, and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol] in lung lining fluid were determined by HPLC; protein was determined colorimetrically. In Controls, levels of alpha- and -gamma-tocopherol, uric acid, and GSH in lung lining fluid decreased between 2 and 7 wk of age. Birds in the Cold chamber exhibited higher protein, a higher GSSG:TGSH ratio, and a decrease in ascorbic acid (7 wk) in lung lining fluid relative to Controls. Lung lining fluid antioxidants were not correlated with antioxidants in plasma. To determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on lung lining fluid antioxidants, birds were given a supplement of 200 IU alpha-tocopherol per day for 7 d. Alpha-tocopherol supplementation elevated alpha-tocopherol levels in lung lining fluid, but lowered ascorbic acid, GSH, and GSSG and had no effect on uric acid in lung lining fluid. The results of this study suggest that antioxidant protection in lung lining fluid may diminish with age, that cold conditions in this study produced an oxidative stress in lung lining fluid in broilers, and that oral supplementation of alpha-tocopherol elevated lung lining fluid alpha-tocopherol.
A new species of Urocopitid land snail from Haiti and a discussion of the genus Autocoptis (Gastropoda: Urocoptidae)

Autocoptis paulsoni n. sp. is described from Haiti. It is characterized by its large size, its cylindricaltapered shape, its fine costate sculpture on the teleoconch, a distinct but weak circum basal keel and its abbreviate conical juvenile shell. It is most similar to Autocoptis gruneri (Dunker 1844), which is redescribed, and its distribution is reviewed. The taxonomic status of the genus Autocoptis Pilsbry 1902 and its subgenus Urocoptola Clench, 1 935 are reviewed. The genus is endemic to Hispaniola and satellite islands.