cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Automotive Interior Lighting on Driver Vision

AbstractThere has been growing interest in vehicle interior lighting for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Although there is a large body of research on nighttime driver vision and vehicle exterior lighting, there has been little research attention to vehicle interior lighting. This report includes a brief review of some of the research that has been done, and presents the results of a nighttime field study that was performed to contribute to the understanding of how vehicle interior lighting affects some basic aspects of driver vision. Participants in the study were asked to perform two tasks while seated in a stationary experimental car on a closed test road at night: 1) detecting pedestrians on the road ahead, and 2) rating the subjective brightness of a reflected veiling light on the windshield. The veiling light was varied in both luminance and color. The results indicated that pedestrian detection was closely related to photopic photometric measures, suggesting that the pedestrian task was inf...
The K-Book: An Introduction to Algebraic K-theory

Projective modules and vector bundles The Grothendieck group $K_0$ $K_1$ and $K_2$ of a ring Definitions of higher $K$-theory The fundamental theorems of higher $K$-theory The higher $K$-theory of fields Nomenclature Bibliography Index
Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller: Reframing the American West

Robert Altman has made a dozen films that can be called great in one way or another, but one of them is perfect, and that one is "McCabe & Mrs. Miller". - Roger Ebert in "The Great Movies". When he died in 2006, director Robert Altman left a rich legacy of films, from "MASH", his breakthrough black comedy, through masterpieces like "Nashville", "Short Cuts", and "Gosford Park". But many would agree that his crowning achievement was "McCabe & Mrs. Miller", a daring down-beat film about a gambler and a prostitute. Robert Self now provides an illuminating new look at this long neglected classic. A snowbound version of "High Noon", Altman's film has been described as a revisionist western, an antiwestern, and even a hippie western. Featuring cinematic icons Warren Beatty and Julie Christie at the zenith of their careers and a haunting soundtrack from legendary troubadour Leonard Cohen, it provided a new way of looking at the western and the West. Placing the film within the contexts of Altman's career, its critical and popular reception, and the history of American cinema, Self shows how Altman's idiosyncratic interplay between story and style reframed the American West for a new generation. Viewing McCabe as a kind of precursor to the New Western History, he argues that it both embraces and revises the conventions associated with the Western movie genre, especially with its antiheroic protagonist. He also highlights the film's portrayal of the contemporary counter-culture, pitting the loner against corporate power and mainstream religion and granting women a newfound voice. In addition, Self sheds light on the film's production, showing how its rare sequential filming reflected the seamless collaborative efforts of director, actors, cinematographer, and set designer. Here, too, are Altman's trademark overlapping dialogue, painterly visuals, signature pan and zoom shots, crowded and communal mise-en-scenes, and a musical soundtrack mirroring the narrative - all in the service of Altman's inimitable storytelling and indelible gallery of fascinating characters. Self's beautifully written, admiring, and insightful study of this great film should significantly enhance its reputation and reinforce Altman's place in the pantheon of American filmmakers.
GPS Availability and Outage Reporting for Aviation Applications

The availability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for airborne applications is driven by the accuracy, integrity, and continuity of the system. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) describe these requirements for each phase of flight [ICAO, 2000]. The availability requirement is provided as a range of values instead of one specific number so there is flexibility for the intended operation, traffic density, complexity of airspace, and availability of alternative navigation aids. Individual countries need to determine what level of implementation of satellite navigation is acceptable for their airspace. This paper examines the various options available for GNSS, ranging from standalone use of the signal to augmentation systems involving the use of differential corrections.This paper also discusses systems that the U.S. and several other countries have implemented to disseminate information regard...
Electron channeling contrast imaging of anti-phase boundaries in coherently strained La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films on (110)-oriented SrTiO3

Electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) was used to characterize coherently strained La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM) films grown on (110)cubic-SrTiO3 (STO) and (100)orthorhombic-NdGaO3 (NGO). We focus on the characterization of a relatively low density (1–3 μm/μm2) of meandering loops (MLs) found in the LSM film on STO and absent in the film on NGO. The MLs exhibit a uniform contrast variation from the background and a strong contrast dependence on the diffraction vector g. The MLs are quantitatively consistent with LSM anti-phase boundaries (APBs) having a displacement vector R=12[001]LSM. These APBs are consistent with a “double positioning” degeneracy of tilted octahedra along [001]LSM on untilted octahedra along [001]STO. The results highlight the non-destructive capacity of ECCI to characterize extended defects in oxide films.
Agreeing in Principle: Utilitarianism and Economic Values as Support for the European Union in Central and Eastern Europe

Using new mass surveys in central and eastern Europe, this article tests utilitarianism and economic values as the bases of support for the European Union. Advancing our understanding, the empirical findings point to increasingly nuanced economic criteria as the perception of social inequality strongly and independently influences EU support.
In vitro colony-forming cells in the marrow of leukemic and preleukemic mice.

In vitro colony-forming cells (CFUc) were evaluated in preleukemic and leukemic AK mice. Increased concentrations of CFUc were found in normal appearing marrow of superinfected animals 2–3 wk prior to the onset of lymphoma. CFUc were present in marrows of mice with virus-accelerated, spontaneous, and transplanted lymphoma. CFUc concentration was often increased in mice with advanced disease and marrow replacement by lymphoblasts. When calculated on the basis of CFUc per normal marrow cells, this increase was marked. The colonies developed only in the presence of added colony-stimulating activity (CSA) and had the morphologic features of colonies from normal marrow. Leukemic cells did not form colonies. Lymphoma cells, from virus accelerated, spontaneous and transplanted lymphoma, did not produce CSA in feeder layers or conditioned medium. Leukemic and nonleukemic AK bone were found to produce similar small amounts of CSA. These studies showed that the preleukemic state as well as marrow replacement by lymphoblasts resulted in increased marrow CFUc's. No evidence for increased local production of CSA by lymphoblasts or the marrow microenvironment was found to account for this.
Survival of Bacteria from Human Dental Plaque Under Various Transport Conditions

The effects of transport media, temperature, and anaerobiosis on the survival of bacteria from human supragingival dental plaque were studied. Individual samples were obtained by passing sterile, unwaxed dental floss through the interproximal spaces. The plaque-bearing portion of floss was immediately placed in vials containing reduced transport fluid, viability-preserving microbistatic medium, or reduced salt solution transport fluid. Plaque samples were dispersed by ultrasonic oscillation, serially diluted, and plated in duplicate on MM10-sucrose-blood agar, mitis salivarius bacitracin agar, and Rogosa tomato juice agar. Initial viable counts (time 0) were compared with viable count determinations after 48- and 72-h storage. Quantitative recovery (>30%) of various groups of oral bacteria was accomplished from both reduced transport fluid and viability-preserving microbistatic medium after 48- and 72-h storage. Storage of dental plaque in reduced salt solution proved unsatisfactory for most bacteria (less than 10% survival). Since growth of some bacteria may occur in viability-preserving microbistatic medium and the charcoal present interferes with colonly enumeration on low-dilution plates, we found reduced transport fluid to be the most suitable medium for transport and recovery of bacteria from supragingival dental plaque. Subzero storage (−196 and −40°C) did not enhance the survival of bacteria from dental plaque; storage at moderate (5 and 20°C) temperatures gave better recovery of viable bacteria. Survival after anaerobic or aerobic storage was comparable for total colony-forming units; however, anaerobic storage enhanced survival of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Since these organisms are specifically associated with dental caries, anaerobic techniques are preferred for caries activity testing of plaque.
Assessing Unmet Needs of Older Adults Receiving Home and Community-Based Services: Conceptualization and Measurement

Abstract The purpose of this study is to review the conceptualization and measurement issues related to unmet service needs of older adults receiving home and community-based services. We summarize and synthesize the recent literature on unmet service needs to examine (1) how this concept is conceptualized and measured and (2) how this concept could be used to advance the provision of home and community-based services. The findings suggest that measures of unmet needs varied in terms of their focus (e.g., function-specific or service-specific) and sources of information (e.g., care receivers, caregivers, or professions). The findings underscore the need to further refine the conceptualization and measurement of unmet service needs and to assure the proper use of existing measures by social service providers.
A Review of “Practical Cataloging: AACR2, RDA and MARC21”

In 2008, responding to a felt need for instruction in cataloging, Anne Welsh and Sue Batley, teachers of cataloging at University College London and London Metropolitan University respectively, beg...
A model-based approach to visualizing classification decisions for patient diagnosis

Automated classification systems are often used for patient diagnosis. In many cases, the rationale behind a decision is as important as the decision itself. Here we detail a method of visualizing the criteria used by a decision tree classifier to provide support for clinicians interested in diagnosing corneal disease. We leverage properties of our data transformation to create surfaces highlighting the details deemed important in classification. Preliminary results indicate that the features illustrated by our visualization method are indeed the criteria that often lead to a correct diagnosis and that our system also seems to find favor with practicing clinicians.
Economics of PC recycling

As the use of personal computers (PCs) increases, their short life cycle and the fact that they contain many hazardous materials means that their retirement and disposal represents a significant environmental concern. Many communities are mandaling the recycling of these PCs, to recover parts and materials, and to minimize the amount of waste landfihled or incinerated. An industry to recycle these PCs is evolving to take advantage of this stream of materials. At present, PC recycling is not profitable. This paper investigates the factors that most influence the net cost to recycle PCs so that PC manufacturers, recyclers and legislators may better develop products and policies to insure that it is cost effective to recycle PCs.
High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Biochemical studies on tobacco alkaloids. II. The relative absorption and assimilation of C14 from C14O2 gas and from NaHC14O3 solution

Abstract Nicotiana plants were exposed in the presence of light to various amounts of C 14 O 2 for different lengths of time, and under different experimental conditions. After 1 hr. of exposure, C 14 activity was found in sugars, organic acids, pigments, and amino acids, in order of decreasing activity. If the exposed plant was allowed to grow a few more days in the greenhouse, C 14 was incorporated gradually into the alkaloids. This was accompanied by a change of activity in the organic compounds, particularly by a relative decrease in the activity of free sugars and amino acids. The proportion of the initial C 14 , which could be recovered from the plant extracts, decreased with time after exposure. When NaHC 14 O 3 was supplied from solution to the roots of Nicotiona rustica , C 14 activity was also found in pigments, amino acids, organic acids, and sugars; but almost no activity was found in alkaloids after exposure to 500 μc. of C 14 within 9 days. When a similar plant was grown in NaHC 14 O 3 solution 124 hr. within 9 days and then in nutrient solution for 7 more days before analysis, C 14 activity gradually appeared in alkaloids. The total recovery of C 14 supplied to the roots from NaHC 14 O 3 was only 1.6–1.75% whereas 7.5–13.7% of that supplied to the leaf as C 14 O 2 was recovered.
The influence of plant characteristics on the entry mode choice of overseas firms

Abstract One of the most important strategic decisions a manufacturing firm makes while expanding overseas is making the choice between setting up greenfield operations or acquiring a local firm. Using a knowledge-based framework, I propose that the ability to transfer knowledge and competencies across national boundaries is much easier in plants characterized by physical capital investment. Hence, during overseas entry, manufacturing firms are likely to use greenfield operations. On the other hand, in plants characterized by human capital investment, the difficulty in transferring knowledge and the need to learn and adapt to host nation requirements will make a local acquisition the preferred mode of entry by manufacturing firms. Using 682 entry decisions made by manufacturing firms during entry into the U.S., I investigate this notion while controlling for size of the industry, research intensity of the industry, degree of unionization, cultural distance, and the value of investment. Study findings indicate that in plants characterized by human capital intensity, the preferred entry mode is acquisitions over greenfield operations. However, foreign entrants with physical capital-intensive plants prefer greenfield operations over acquisitions.
Perturbation theory and non-renormalizable scalar fields

We study how to set up systematic summation rules that could permit us to interpret the divergent expressions arising in the perturbation theory of :P(ϕ): d when one does not allow any renormalization besides the usual coupling constants, mass and wave function renormalizations.
The North Carolina Child Care Corps: The role of National Service in Child Care

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to document the impact of training and ensuing experience on the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of AmeriCorps national service volunteers in child care classrooms. The North Carolina Child Care Corps (NCCCC) combined federal (AmeriCorps) and state (Smart Start) dollars in the state of North Carolina to improve existing teacher-child ratios by providing trained teachers for child care centers. Participants (Corps members) in the project received four weeks of intensive training in child development and early childhood education and were then assigned to child care classrooms in counties receiving Smart Start funding in five regions of the state. Corps members did not replace existing staff, but were added as assistant teachers above and beyond the mandated teacher-child ratios. Results from Year One of the project indicate that the NCCCC was successful in training Corps members in the areas of child development and early childhood appropriate practices. However, Corps members showed a decline in the appropriateness of their interactions with children after nine months of service in child care classrooms. Implications concerning the use of AmeriCorps volunteers to improve the quality of child care are discussed.
Granular Cell Ameloblastoma: Electron Microscopic Observations

. A case of granular cell ameloblastoma was studied by light and electron microscopy. Histologically, the lesion resembled simple ameloblastoma, but differed from the latter in that it contained many cells with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasmic granules were identified as lysosomes. These organelles were particularly abundant in cells situated in the center of islands and clusters of neoplastic cells. Since no cytoplasmic components could be identified in any of these lysosomes, it was concluded that they are not engaged in autophagy or in remodeling of the neoplastic cells.
Color measurements unveil systemic differences in ocean properties

Determining the level of biological activity in the ocean is a task not readily suited to satellite-based remote sensing techniques. After all, many important markers of ocean ecosystem health are difficult to assess from space. In the past few decades, however, researchers have developed a technique that uses satellite observations of the ocean's visible color to track changes in biological activity, treating color as a proxy for chlorophyll concentrations and thus for phytoplankton populations. Interpretations of these chlorophyll concentration estimates have been used to assess, to varying degrees of success, the ocean's salinity and temperature, gas fluxes, nutrient availability, and the overall level of biosphere activity. Still, the algorithms used to convert ocean color into chlorophyll have remarkably large errors, sometimes in excess of 50%, when compared against direct measurements of chlorophyll concentrations.
NMR chemical shifts of 129 Xe dissolved in various oxygen and nitrogen substituted straight chain aliphatic compounds

Xenon-129 NMR spectra have been measured for dilute solutions of129Xe dissolved in a series of n-alcohols and primary n-alkyl amines, as well as ethylene glycol and water. The chemical shifts recorded for129Xe in the alcohols and amines are found to be linearly related to solvent composition expressed in terms of the individual methyl and methylene groups as well as the nitrogen and oxygen bearing functional groups making up these compounds. This behavior is consistent with a simple model which considers the van der Waals contribution to the chemical shift of129Xe to result from pair interactions between a dissolved Xe atom and the individual methyl, methylene, and functional groups from which the solvent molecules are derived. The129Xe chemical shifts caused by the −CH2−, −NH2, and −OH groups are found to be quite similar in magnitude, each being approximately twice that of a −CH3 group.
Three Extremal Problems for Hyperbolically Convex Functions

In this paper we apply a variational method to three extremal problems for hyperbolically convex functions posed by Ma and Minda and Pommerenke [6, 14]. We first consider the problem of extremizing Re f(z)/z. We determine the minimal value and give a new proof of the maximal value previously determined by Ma and Minda. We also describe the geometry of the hyperbolically convex functions \(f(z)=\alpha z+a_{2}z^{2}+ a_{3}z^{3}+\cdots\) which maximize Rea3.
SU‐DD‐A1‐02: Incorporating Prior Knowledge Into the Segment Optimization in Segment‐Modulated Arc Therapy

Purpose: Recently, various stochastic algorithms have been applied to the segment modulated arc therapy (SMART) inverse planning. Most, if not all, algorithms are brute force trial‐and‐error search in nature without inclusion of a priori knowledge for segment position and shape. The purpose of this work is to provide an effective way to speed up the SMART planning process by incorporating dosimetric knowledge of the system into the segment shaping. Methods: The SMART inverse planning was performed in two steps. First, the maximum intensity map (MIM) was evaluated for each beam. The intensity of MIM is defined as the maximum intensity without violating the threshold dose of the organ‐at‐risks (OARs) located on the path of the beamlet. Based on MIM, a probabilistic map (MP) model was properly established which describes the probability for a beamlet to be open (=1) or close (=0). A rule of thumb is that a beamlet traversing sensitive OARs (which is bad) tends to have smaller chance to open and vice versa. Second, a SMART inverse planning was performed based on simulated annealing method. In each step, MP serves as a likelihood function for the trial change of a segment. With this likelihood, a bad segment tends to be rejected without spending valuable CPU‐time to calculate the dose distribution and vice versa. Results: The proposed method was tested on a prostate case. A comparison of a prostate SMART planning with and without prior knowledge indicated that the computational efficiency was increased by a factor of ∼4. Besides, it is observed better sparing of OARs is also achieved by using MIM‐guidance. Conclusion: MIM information provides useful priors for the selection of potentially good segment shape and position and greatly facilitates the search for a set of optimal segments for SMART.
Classifying Children as LD: An Analysis of Current Practice in an Urban Setting:

A large number of states have continued to include a discrepancy criterion in their regulations for determining a child's learning disability status even though researchers have raised questions regarding the appropriateness of discrepancy formulas and the ability of clinicians to apply such formulas to quantitative data. Given the problems raised with the discrepancy model approach, one must question to what extent clinicians are, in fact, making decisions based upon this approach. This study sought to answer this question using data from 105 case files of predominantly African American children who had been classified as LD in a large, inner-city public school district and who had been receiving special education services for at least three years. Data are evaluated at both initial and triennial evaluations. Implications of results are discussed as are suggestions for future research.
‘It's the third world stupid!’ Why the third world should be the priority of the Clinton administration

The inauguration of President Bill Clinton on 20 January 1993, coincided with a turning point in US foreign policy toward the Third World. The decline of the Cold War at the beginning of the 1990s seemingly had called into question an interventionist foreign policy built upon the twin themes of antiCommunism and containment. Most important, the primary perceived adversary of the United States-the former Soviet Union-had followed in the footsteps of other great empires throughout history, fragmenting into a host of smaller, independent, and nonCommunist countries. In short, the Clinton administration has been presented with a tremendous opportunity to transcend the reactive, Cold War mentality that rationalised a variety of US interventionist practices throughout the Third World from the 1940s to the 1980s, and instead fashion proactive policies designed to strengthen US ties with Third World countries concerned with promoting democracy, economic development, and the respect of human rights.' However, as demonstrated by the Bush administration's willingness to undertake a variety of military operations, ranging from the massive movement of over 400,000 troops to Saudi Arabia as part of 'Operation Desert Storm', to the more limited humanitarian military engagement in Somalia known as 'Operation Restore Hope', the decline of the Cold War will not automatically lead to a concomitant decline in US interventionist practices. As perceptively noted by Stephen John Stedman, a 'new interventionism' is potentially emerging within the policymaking establishment that blends the firm support for international organisations and self-determination of peoples traditionally adhered to by Wilsonian liberals, with the realist perceptions of international threats (such as monolithic communism) perceived by Cold War liberal internationalists.2 The net result, according to Stedman, may be the emergence of a new crusading, interventionist doctrine comparable in scale to that of containment during the last 40 years, in which the United States as the sole remaining superpower assumes the responsibility of compelling other governments-by force, if necessary-to adhere to a 'new humanitarian order'.3 A problematical aspect of this new interventionism is that the end of the Cold War has reinforced two trends-one domestic and one international-that increasingly have placed more constraints on the successful application of US power in the Third World. In the domestic realm, a fragmented US political culture is no longer content, as it was during the 1950s and the 1960s, to follow
Multiple-Shrinkage Multinomial Probit Models with Applications to Simulating Geographies in Public Use Data

Multinomial outcomes with many levels can be challenging to model. Information typically accrues slowly with increasing sample size, yet the parameter space expands rapidly with additional covariates. Shrinking all regression parameters towards zero, as often done in models of continuous or binary response variables, is unsatisfactory, since setting parameters equal to zero in multinomial models does not necessarily imply “no effect.” We propose an approach to modeling multinomial outcomes with many levels based on a Bayesian multinomial probit (MNP) model and a multiple shrinkage prior distribution for the regression parameters. The prior distribution encourages the MNP regression parameters to shrink toward a number of learned locations, thereby substantially reducing the dimension of the parameter space. Using simulated data, we compare the predictive performance of this model against two other recently-proposed methods for big multinomial models. The results suggest that the fully Bayesian, multiple shrinkage approach can outperform these other methods. We apply the multiple shrinkage MNP to simulating replacement values for areal identifiers, e.g., census tract indicators, in order to protect data confidentiality in public use datasets.
Igneous and metamorphic petrology of the eclogitic Seljeneset Meta-anorthosite and related jotunites, Western Gneiss Region, Norway

Abstract The Seljeneset Meta-anorthosite consists of deformed and metamorphosed anorthosite and mafic rocks, is situated in the high-grade Western Gneiss Region (WGR) of Norway, and is adjacent to the 1.52 Ga Flatraket quartz monzonite (mangerite). The WGR was metamorphosed to eclogite fades during Caledonian tectonism 414 ± 16 Ma ago. The Meta-anorthosite contains 46–57 wt.% SiO 2 and displays chondrite-normalized REE patterns typical of anorthosite, indicating that metamorphism did not significantly affect REE abundances. Norms indicate that igneous anorthosite consisted of ≥ 90% modal plagioclase, minor mafic silicates, and ~ 1% Fe-Ti oxide. Mafic rocks (43–48 wt.% SiO 2 ) are rich in total Fe 2 O 3 (13–20%), TiO 2 (3–4%), and P 2 O 5 (1–3%), poor in Cr ( jotunites , which are characteristic of Proterozoic anorthosite-mangerite complexes. Jotunite originally consisted of > 50% modal andesine, ∼ 25% mafic silicates, ∼ 10% Fe-Ti oxide, and up to 7% apatite. REE patterns of jotunite are highly variable, which reflects variable igneous abundances and modification by metasomatism. Filter pressing of residual liquid trapped between cumulus plagioclase may have been important in the evolution of anorthosite and jotunite. Anorthosite contains ultramafic xenoliths (high MgO, Cr and Ni and depleted in LREE), which suggests that some mantle-derived peridotite was present in the Baltic crust by mid-Proterozoic time; this may extend the crustal history of Norwegian garnet peridotites by over one billion years. Seljeneset rocks display evidence of retrogression from eclogite through amphibolite facies. Meta-anorthosite consists of ovoidal clots of margarite, quartz, plagioclase, and relict kyanite set in a matrix of zoisite, clinozoisite, plagioclase, quartz, hornblende, and biotite. Phase equilibria analysis of sequential assemblages shows that meta-anorthosite records a retrograde P-T path from ≥ 15–17 kbar to 4.3–8.2 kbar at ~ 450–600 °C. Mafic rocks vary from moderately well-preserved eclogite, through varieties containing symplectite, to dynamically recrystallized amphibolite. In one sample, the rare Na-Ca amphibole magnesio-alumino-taramite appears to be part of the eclogite assemblage. Calculations indicate eclogite formation at P ≥ 16–18 kbar at ~ 750 °C. Some mafic rocks contain veins and segregations of biotite, muscovite, pyrite, allanite, and zircon, that, considered together with geochemical data, indicate metasomatic introduction of K, Rb, Ba, Ga, S and rare-earth and other high-field-strength elements by channelized fluids during retrogression. The Seljeneset Meta-anorthosite, associated jotunites, and adjacent Flatraket quartz monzonite likely constitute a single complex, here named the Nordpollen Plutonic Complex. This complex was emplaced 1.52 Ga ago, metamorphosed to eclogite facies during Silurian continent-continent collision, largely retrograded to amphibolite facies during uplift of the orogen, and locally metasomatised during retrogression.
Recurrence of Bear Restoration Symbolism: Minusinsk Basin Evenki and Basin-Plateau Ute

By combining ethnographic and evolutionary psychological approaches, this paper compares adaptive strategies of two groups of hunter-gatherers colonizing marginal environments, one in Southern Siberia (Minusinsk Basin) and the other in North America (Great Basin and Colorado Plateau). The biological and cultural survival of Southern Siberian (Evenki) and Basin-Plateau (Numic) hunter-gatherers depended upon developing a complex of social and symbolic strategies, including ritual, oral narratives and rock art. These symbolic representations, which emerged in response to reproductive and somatic demands, appear to have been preserved and transmitted inter-generationally, and to have recurred cross-culturally above chance.
Myxococcus xanthus synthesizes a stabilized messenger RNA during fruiting body formation

Initial characterization of the unstable 5S-to-16S RNA fraction from developingMyxococcus xanthus cells reveals that it is rapidly labeled with radioactive RNA precursor and is associated with polyribosomes and released by puromycin from polyribosomes. The total unstable RNA fraction from 10-min pulse-labeled developing cells has a half-life of 13 min, compared with a 4-min half-life for unstable RNA (presumptive mRNA) from vegetative cells pulse-labeled for 2 min. We conclude that this developmental 5S-to-16S RNA contains messenger RNA and that this mRNA is stabilized compared with that in vegetative cells.
Mechanism of Activation and Functional Role of Protein Kinase Cη in Human Platelets

The novel class of protein kinase C (nPKC) isoform η is expressed in platelets, but not much is known about its activation and function. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of activation and functional implications of nPKCη using pharmacological and gene knock-out approaches. nPKCη was phosphorylated (at Thr-512) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner by 2MeSADP. Pretreatment of platelets with MRS-2179, a P2Y1 receptor antagonist, or YM-254890, a Gq blocker, abolished 2MeSADP-induced phosphorylation of nPKCη. Similarly, ADP failed to activate nPKCη in platelets isolated from P2Y1 and Gq knock-out mice. However, pretreatment of platelets with P2Y12 receptor antagonist, AR-C69331MX did not interfere with ADP-induced nPKCη phosphorylation. In addition, when platelets were activated with 2MeSADP under stirring conditions, although nPKCη was phosphorylated within 30 s by ADP receptors, it was also dephosphorylated by activated integrin αIIbβ3 mediated outside-in signaling. Moreover, in the presence of SC-57101, a αIIbβ3 receptor antagonist, nPKCη dephosphorylation was inhibited. Furthermore, in murine platelets lacking PP1cγ, a catalytic subunit of serine/threonine phosphatase, αIIbβ3 failed to dephosphorylate nPKCη. Thus, we conclude that ADP activates nPKCη via P2Y1 receptor and is subsequently dephosphorylated by PP1γ phosphatase activated by αIIbβ3 integrin. In addition, pretreatment of platelets with η-RACK antagonistic peptides, a specific inhibitor of nPKCη, inhibited ADP-induced thromboxane generation. However, these peptides had no affect on ADP-induced aggregation when thromboxane generation was blocked. In summary, nPKCη positively regulates agonist-induced thromboxane generation with no effects on platelet aggregation.
Navajo Women and the Politics of Identity

This article examines intergenerational changes in the construction and reconstruction of Indian identity, and links those changes to changes in social, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Interviews with Navajo women revealed distinct patterns in their self-identification as Navajo and as Indian. Women who were born prior to the self-determination movements of the 1960s and who grew up in the context of Navajo communities distanced themselves from, and actively disrupted, negative and stereotypic representations of Indians, drawing on their specific tribal identities to do so. Women born after 1960 were less likely to distance themselves from Indian identity, but also reframed the meanings associated with that identity. These results illustrate the importance of womens strategies for cultural survival and their use of resources that are historically and socially patterned in the process of constructing distinct and positive identities as Indian and as Navajo. The point is that you know your language and your culture. That makes you a person. That makes you have an identity. Thats what you can fall back on. Lena, age 17, 1991 The past continues to speak to us. But it no longer addresses us as a simple, factual “past.” It is always constructed through memory, fantasy, narrative and myth. Cultural identities are the points of identification, the unstable points of identification or suture, which are made within the discourses of history and culture. Not an essence, but a positioning. Hence, there is always a politics of identity, a politics of position, which has no absolute guarantee in an unproblematic, transcendental “law of origin.” Stuart Hall, 1997:53.
Tumor-Associated Antibodies in the Serum of Patients with Ocular Melanoma: IV. Correction for Smooth Muscle Antibodies

Abstract Serum samples from patients with choroidal malignant melanoma, carcinoma metastatic to the choroid and “normal” controls containing tumor-associated antibodies (TAA) to tissue cultured melanoma cells were examined for the presence of smooth muscle antibody (SMA). Sera found to contain SMA were absorbed with actin or thrombosthenin and reassayed for TAX With this modification, 72% (78% before absorption) of patients with uveal melanoma, 26% (78% before absorption) of patients with carcinoma metastatic to the choroid and 13% (24% before absorption) of “normal” controls were found to have tumor-associated antibodies in their serum.
Interference with function of a homeobox gene in Xenopus embryos produces malformations of the anterior spinal cord

Abstract XIHbox 1 is expressed in a narrow band across the cervical region of Xenopus embryos. The gene produces two related proteins: "long" and "short" XIHbox 1 homeodomain proteins. Injection of antibodies to the long XIHbox 1 protein into 1-cell embryos caused a phenotype in which the anterior spinal cord was morphologically transformed into a hindbrain-like structure. This alteration was restricted to the region normally expressing long XIHbox 1 protein. Injection of long protein mRNA disrupted segmentation and tissue organization without inhibiting cell proliferation. Injection of short protein mRNA into 1-cell embryos produced spinal cord malformations similar, but not identical, to those caused by the antibodies, suggesting antagonistic roles for long and short XIHbox 1 proteins. We immunostained tadpoles carrying extended hindbrains for N-CAM and consistently found defective organization of spinal nerves over the affected region.
Bee biology research communication network

BEE-L is a network file list dedicated to research and information concerning the biology of BEES! This includes solitary and social bees (and maybe even wasps). We communicate about sociobiology, behavior, ecology, adaptation/evolution, genetics, taxonomy, physiology, pollination and nectar/pollen biology. Also, it is a great way to announce meetings and professional opportunities, seek help in research work, or research funding, and discuss ideas
Abdominal posterior rectopexy with an omental pedicle for intractable rectal prolapse: a modified technique.

Rectal prolapse is a relatively common paediatric surgical condition. It has a number of benign aetiologies. Management is usually centred on regulating bowel habits. Surgery is considered after the failure of medical treatment. Numerous surgical techniques have been described with a spectrum of results. We adopted a limited abdominal approach to achieve a posterior rectopexy using an omental pedicle in intractable cases. This technique has not been performed in children previously. From 2005 to 2008 we have applied this technique on five patients with recurrent rectal prolapse which had failed to respond to medical treatment, injection sclerotherapy or perianal cercalage. One patient had solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, and was initially treated with a defunctioning colostomy, had a concomitant sigmoidectomy performed at the time of rectopexy. None of the patients had cystic fibrosis. There were three females and two males, with a mean age of 9.6 years (4.7–14.0). No operative complications were encountered. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 days (3–8). None of the patients experienced recurrence at a mean of 2.1 years (0.2–2.8) follow up. The cosmetic result was regarded as satisfactory by all patients. This early experience with abdominal posterior rectopexy using an omental pedicle graft is encouraging. This technique does not involve the use of synthetic material and hence the risk of infection is low.
In Vitro Steroid Secretion during Early Development of Mono-Sex Rainbow Trout: Sex Differences, Onset of Pituitary Control, and Effects of Dietary Steroid Treatment

Sex differentiation in many teleost species can be controlled by treatment with steroids. To investigate the development of steroidogenesis during both natural and controlled sex differentiation, the production of androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol were determined in tissues from populations of all-female and all-male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). At various times from hatching through gonadal sex differentiation, explants of steroidogenic tissues were incubated in vitro alone or in the presence of partly purified salmon gonadotropin and the resulting media were assayed for steroids. Androstenedione and testosterone were produced at higher levels in media from testes than from ovaries within 2 weeks of the onset of feeding (before any dramatic gonadal differentiation). Gonadal estradiol secretion was nondetectable until about 1 month after the onset of feeding when females produced more than males. Gonadotropin stimulated gonadal steroid production only after differentiation, but stimulated anterior kidney (interrenal) production of androstenedione much earlier in development. Dietary treatment of rainbow trout with either estradiol or 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) inhibited in vitro gonadal steroid production and this effect persisted in MT-fed fish even after withdrawal of dietary steroids.
Sound waves effectively assist tobramycin in elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in vitro.

Microbial biofilms are highly refractory to antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of low-frequency vibration therapy (20–20 kHz) on antibiotic-mediated Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm eradication. In screening studies, low-frequency vibrations were applied on model biofilm compositions to identify conditions in which surface standing waves were observed. Alginate surface tension and viscosity were also measured. The effect of vibration on P. aeruginosa biofilms was studied using a standard biofilm assay. Subminimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of tobramycin (5 μg/ml) were added to biofilms 3 h prior, during, and immediately after vibration and quantitatively assessed by (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay (XTT) and, qualitatively, by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The standing waves occurred at frequencies <1,000 Hz. Biofilms vibrated without sub-MIC tobramycin showed a significantly reduced metabolism compared to untreated controls (p < 0.05). Biofilms treated with tobramycin and vibrated simultaneously (450, 530, 610, and 650 Hz), or vibrated (450 and 650 Hz) then treated with tobramycin subsequently, or vibrated (610Hz, 650Hz) after 3 h of tobramycin treatment showed significantly lower metabolism compared to P. aeruginosa biofilm treated with tobramycin alone (p < 0.05). CLSM imaging further confirmed these findings. Low frequency vibrations assisted tobramycin in killing P. aeruginosa biofilms at sub-MIC. Thus, sound waves together with antibiotics are a promising approach in eliminating pathogenic biofilms.
Rats with gastritis have increased sensitivity to the gastrin stimulatory effects of luminal ammonia

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Persons infected with Helicobacter pylori show an enhanced meal-stimulated gastrin release compared with uninfected controls. The aim of this study was to determine in animal models whether this gastrin release could be related to chronic gastric inflammation, elevated luminal ammonia level, or a combination of these factors. METHODS: Two rat models of mild gastric inflammation were studied. Rats given a long-term diet of 20 g/dL ammonium acetate (AmAc) in rat chow or 0.1% iodoacetamide in drinking water for 2-3 weeks underwent a short-term challenge with a normal or AmAc-supplemented meal. Serum gastrin and antral gastrin messenger RNA levels were measured. RESULTS: Compared with normal postprandial gastrin release, animals given the long-term AmAc feeding showed a normal response to rat chow but a greatly exaggerated response to rat chow plus 20 g/dL AmAc. Long-term feeding with iodoacetamide also resulted in enhanced gastrin release and antral gastrin messenger RNA in response to a meal supplemented with AmAc, but not to a normal meal or one supplemented with sodium acetate. CONCLUSIONS: Inflamed gastric mucosa is more sensitive to the effects of luminal ammonia and responds with an increase in both synthesis and release of gastrin. These animal models may provide insight into the pathogenesis of hypergastrinemia associated the H. pylori infection. (Gastroenterology 1996 Mar;110(3):801-8)
Development of differential affinities and positional information in embryonic retina cells: Inhibition by BrdU

Embryonic neural retina cells fail to develop surface properties for type-specific cell recognition if they are transiently exposed to BrdU during an early, critical age. Such cells do not proceed with histogenetic positioning, organization and differentiation and, instead, form a malformed cell mass. This effect of BrdU is correlated with BrdU incorporation into DNA, and it can be prevented by simultaneous treatment of the cells with cytosine arabinoside. The proposed working hypothesis is that, in this system, BrdU interferes with expression of genes controlling cognitive specification of the cell surface.
Towards an on-demand peer feedback system for a clinical knowledge base: A case study with order sets

Objective: We have developed an automated knowledge base peer feedback system as part of an effort to facilitate the creation and refinement of sound clinical knowledge content within an enterprise-wide knowledge base. The program collects clinical data stored in our Clinical Data Repository during usage of a physician order entry program. It analyzes usage patterns of order sets relative to their templates and creates a report detailing the usage patterns of the order set template. This report includes a set of suggested modifications to the template. Design: A quantitative analysis was performed to assess the validity of the program's suggested order set template modifications. Measurements: We collected and deidentified 2951 instances of POE-based orders. Our program then identified and generated feedback reports for thirty different order set templates from this data set. These reports contained 500 suggested modifications. Five order set authors were then asked to 'accept' or 'reject' each suggestion contained in his/her respective order set templates. They were also asked to categorize their rationale for doing so ('clinical relevance' or 'user convenience'). Results: In total, 62% (309/500) suggestions were accepted by clinical content authors. Of these, authors accepted 32% (36/114) of the suggested additions, 74% (123/167) of the suggested pre-selections, 76% (16/25) of the suggested de-selections, and 68% (131/194) of the suggested changes in combo box order. Conclusion: Overall, the feedback system generated suggestions that were deemed highly acceptable among order set authors. Future refinements and enhancements to the software will add to its utility.
A one-dimensional approach for iris identification

A novel approach to iris recognition is proposed in this paper. It differs from traditional iris recognition systems in that it generates a one-dimensional iris signature that is translation, rotation, illumination and scale invariant. The Du Measurement was used as a matching mechanism, and this approach generates the most probable matches instead of only the best match. The merit of this method is that it allows users to enroll with or to identify poor quality iris images that would be rejected by other methods. In this way, the users could potentially identify an iris image by another level of analysis. Another merit of this approach is that this method could potentially improve iris identification efficiency. In our approach, the system only needs to store a one-dimensional signal, and in the matching process, no circular rotation is needed. This means that the matching speed could be much faster.
A convenient chromatographic method for the preparation of human hemoglobin

Abstract A relatively convenient and rapid chromatographic method has been devised for the preparation of gram quantities of the main component of human hemoglobin. The product of this preparative method has been examined for the presence of minor hemoglobin components, ferrihemoglobin, and phosphates. The amounts of each of these materials were found to be small. Measurements of the oxygen-binding isotherm and tetramer-dimer dissociation constant of the product were also carried out, and its behavior was found to be consistent with that observed by other investigators for unfractionated, phosphate-free hemoglobin.
Organic light emitting devices based upon divalent osmium complexes: Part 1: design, synthesis, and characterization of osmium complexes

In this work we present the synthesis and characterization of several novel osmium complexes of the form [Os(N-N) 2 L-L] 2+ 2X - designed for organic light emitting device (OLED) applications. In the complex notation N-N represents a derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline and L-L represents a strong π-acid arsine or phosphine ligand. The complexes feature 3 MLCT emission that ranges from 611 - 650 nm, which makes them suitable as an emission source for red OLEDs. Phosphorescent quantum yields as high as 45% and emission lifetimes as short as 400 nanoseconds have been reached.