cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein-reactive, thermoresponsive copolymers with high flexibility and biodegradability.

A family of injectable, biodegradable, and thermosensitive copolymers based on N-isopropylacrylamide, acrylic acid, N-acryloxysuccinimide, and a macromer polylactide−hydroxyethyl methacrylate were synthesized by free radical polymerization. Copolymers were injectable at or below room temperature and formed robust hydrogels at 37 °C. The effects of monomer ratio, polylactide length, and AAc content on the chemical and physical properties of the hydrogel were investigated. Copolymers exhibited lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) from 18 to 26 °C. After complete hydrolysis, hydrogels were soluble in phosphate buffered saline at 37 °C with LCSTs above 40.8 °C. Incorporation of type I collagen at varying mass fractions by covalent reaction with the copolymer backbone slightly increased LCSTs. Water content was 32–80% without collagen and increased to 230% with collagen at 37 °C. Hydrogels were highly flexible and relatively strong at 37 °C, with tensile strengths from 0.3 to 1.1 MPa and elongations at...
Range Image Segmentation Via Distance Slicing

In this paper we present a method to segment a range image into regions which correspond to different object surfaces in the scene. We first obtain an equidistance contour map of the range image from slicing the range image at fixed increment distance values. Pixels along a contour are all at about the same distance from the sensor. We have observed that whenever a contour crosses an object surface edge, we would see direction discontinuity, curvature discontinuity, curvature zero-crossing, or termination of the contour. We call these places the critical points of the contour. We divide a contour into segments at its critical points. Next, we find the two corresponding contour segments on two consecutive slices. Every pair of corresponding contour segments defines a small region in the range image. Thus through registering contour segments in consecutive slices we have partitioned a range image into many small regions. Each region corresponds to a portion of an object surface. The last step is to merge these small regions into larger areas based on whether or not the corresponding scene surface segments of two adjacent regions have similar orientations in the 3-D space. The range image segmentation process is completed when the merging process is done. This approach is fast because it analyzes only the pixels along the equidistance contours and the entire process can be completed in just one pass.
Design and Evaluation of a Self-Care Educational Activity as a Student Learning Experience

Objective. To design an educational activity and evaluate its effectiveness on increasing third-year pharmacy students’ knowledge and confidence to recommend self-care products to patients. Design. Faculty members created a self-care activity, the Amazing Self-Care Race, for educational use in a pharmaceutical care laboratory course. Student teams worked competitively to complete 15 stations focused on self-care. A complex, real-world case was presented at each station. Student recommendations were presented to a facilitator. Prior to and following the activity, students were invited to complete an online anonymous survey instrument. Assessment. Eighty-six students completed presurvey and postsurvey instruments to assess their knowledge and perceived confidence to recommend a self-care product to a patient prior to and following participation in the Amazing Self-Care Race. Students demonstrated a significant increase in their ability and confidence to recommend self-care products following the activity (p<0.001). Conclusion. The Amazing Self-Care Race is an effective educational activity that increases student knowledge and confidence in self-care therapeutics. The activity helped students to develop self-care skills, enabled them to learn through doing, encouraged them to synthesize information while making self-care recommendations, and helped them to develop confidence by thinking on their feet.
High temperature physical properties of fast reactor materials

Abstract Physical properties of materials of interest in fast reactor safety are presented. These include enthalpy and heat capacity, vapor pressure, density, surface tension, speed of sound, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. The emphasis is on saturated fuel materials and coolant. Much of the data is the result of direct experimental measurement while the remainder was obtained by extrapolative techniques from data at lower temperatures.
Pulmonary Autograft Reoperation: Incidence and Management

Background. Pulmonary autograft replacement of the aortic valve is accepted in the young, those with an active life style, and those who are not candidates for anticoagulation. However, concern remains about autograft or homograft valve failure. Methods. One hundred ninety-five operative survivors of the Ross operation (August 1986 through December 1995) were reviewed for operative pathology and factors associated with reoperation or valve dysfunction. Results. Actuarial freedom from reoperation (autograft or homograft) is 89% ± 3% at 5 years, 92% ± 3% for the autograft alone. Early autograft valve failures ( Conclusions. Pulmonary autograft replacement of the aortic valve has a low incidence of reoperation for autograft dysfunction or homograft obstruction. Autograft dysfunction can be corrected by autograft repair in patients with central insufficiency and aortic annular dilatation.
The Soul of Reciprocity Part One: Reciprocity Refused

In this first of a two-part essay, Milbank contends that “Intersubjectivity poses itself both as a problem and as a solution only within the regime of representation that has prevailed since Descartes – although it was foreshadowed by post-Scottish scholasticism.” The first part, then, is given over to a deconstruction of modern notions of the self in anticipation of the second part, which is a constructive proposal for a recovery of the soul. In the present essay, then, Milbank's intention is to show that “we should abandon the attempt to modify the regime of subjectivity with postmodern trans-humanism or else phenomenological intersubjectivity, or else again the neo-Kantian ethics of finitude, and instead attempt to recover the regime of the soul.”
“Cultural Patterns” and the Language Teacher

Author's Summary— The reading of Dr. Ruth Benedict's Patterns of Culture suggests that the study of different civilizations through foreign languages, may be of the greatest benefit to the student, not only socially but psychologically. It serves as a challenge for his accepted intellectual and moral system.)
Economic Demobilization in a Conquered Country: Germany 1919-1923

Neither the United States nor Great Britain and France had an elaborate scheme for economic demobilization when the first World War came to a sudden end, but the continuity of their political institutions, and the fact that the three nations were on the victorious side, permitted at least a reasonably quick transition to a new peace economy, however unstable. Such continuity did not exist in Germany and the other conquered nations. Germany, like the other belligerents, had failed to prepare in advance a comprehensive plan for economic demobilization aside from preparatory work of a technical character done by the army. In addition, the social and political events immediately following the Armistice resulted, perhaps inevitably, in the lack of any independent coordinated policy of transition on the part of the new regime. The determining factors of the German economy during the immediate post-war period were, first, the collapse of the imperial regime and the half-hearted and short-lived attempt of the new republican government to reorganize economic life along socialistic or semi-socialistic lines; secondly, the territorial concessions and the ill-defined burden of reparation payments imposed upon Germany by the Treaty of Versailles; and, thirdly, the fantastic inflation which reached its point of culmination as late as five years after the Armistice. In addition, the German experience following the end of the war raised the general question the extent to which a defeated country in our period can count upon systematic demobilization, in the sense of an independent well-balanced policy of transition in accordance with an advance program. The few economists who had given any thought at all during wartime to the problems facing Germany after the war had based their recommendations on the assumption
Satellite Observations of Antarctic Sea Ice Thickness and Volume

We utilize satellite laser altimetry data from ICESat combined with passive microwave measurements to analyze basin-wide changes in Antarctic sea ice thickness and volume over a 5 year period from 2003-2008. Sea ice thickness exhibits a small negative trend while area increases in the summer and fall balanced losses in thickness leading to small overall volume changes. Using a five year time-series, we show that only small ice thickness changes of less than -0.03 m/yr and volume changes of -266 cu km/yr and 160 cu km/yr occurred for the spring and summer periods, respectively. The calculated thickness and volume trends are small compared to the observational time period and interannual variability which masks the determination of long-term trend or cyclical variability in the sea ice cover. These results are in stark contrast to the much greater observed losses in Arctic sea ice volume and illustrate the different hemispheric changes of the polar sea ice covers in recent years.
Oxide interfaces: Moment of magnetism

Electrons at an interface between two insulating oxides are now shown to exhibit ferromagnetism — a collective electronic state not seen in the bulk of either individual oxide.
Experimental analyses of the rearrangement of ectodermal cells during gastrulation and neurulation in avian embryos

The rearrangement of ectodermal cells was studied in chimeras in which grafts were transplanted during late gastrula and early neurula stages to heterotopic locations in avian embryos. Three types of experiments were done. In all experiments, Hensen's node was extirpated completely and replaced with an epithelial plug derived from 1 of 3 regions of the prospective ectoderm. In type-1 experiments, Hensen's node was replaced with a plug consisting of precursor cells of the floor plate of the neural tube. In type-2 experiments, Hensen's node was replaced with a plug consisting of precursor cells of the lateral wall of the neural tube. In type-3 experiments, Hensen's node was replaced with a plug consisting of precursor cells of the epidermal ectoderm. In all experiments, the amount and direction of cell rearrangement that occurred in the transplanted ectodermal plug was essentially typical for prospective ectodermal cells normally residing within Hensen's node. That is, transplanted ectodermal cells underwent lateralto-medial cell-cell intercalation and contributed to the ventral midline of the neural tube along its entire rostrocaudal extent. In most embryos, a notochord was reconstituted from host cells, despite the fact that Hensen's node — the prime source of prospective notochordal cells in intact embryos — was extirpated completely; however, a few embryos had long notochordal gaps. In such essentially notochordless embryos, the ventral midline of the neural tube still derived from grafted cells, but it failed to form a floor plate, providing further confirmation of the results of several previous studies that the notochord is required to induce the floor plate. Collectively, our results provide evidence that the rearrangement of ectodermal cells does not require the presence of a “trail” of prospective floor plate cells (laid down by the regressing Hensen's node), or of a notochordal substrate, and that the continued presence of an organizer per se, ostensibly Hensen's node, is not required. In addition, our results demonstrate that the rearrangement of cells still occurs in the absence of “boundaries” between ectodermal cells of different phenotypes (e.g., between cells of the floor plate and lateral walls of the neural tube). Finally, our results reveal further that the amount and direction of cellular rearrangement is not regulated in a cell-autonomous fashion, but rather it is determined by the overall magnitude and vector of the displacement of the community of rearranging cells within a developmental field.
SOOT PROPERTY MEASUREMENTS IN A TWO-METER DIAMETER JP-8 POOL FIRE

ABSTRACT An in situ adsorption/emission diagnostic was used to measure soot properties in 2 m diameter JP-8 pool fires. Twelve tests were performed at the Lurance Canyon Burn Site operated by Sandia in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Seven of the tests were conducted with the probe positioned close to the centerline at heights above the pool surface ranging from 0.5 m to 2.0 m in 0.25 m increments. For the remaining five tests, the probe was positioned at two heights 0.3 m from the centerline and at three heights 0.5 m from the centerline. Soot concentration was determined using a soot absorption measurement based on the transmission of a solid-state red laser (635 nm) through the 3.7 cm long probe volume. Soot temperature and a second estimate of soot concentration were measured using two-color optical pyrometry at 850 nm and 1000 nm. The effective data rate for these measurements was 10 kHz. The results presented include the statistics, probability density functions, and spectral density functions of soot conc...
Randomized, prospective, clinical evaluation of prosthodontic modalities for mandibular implant overdenture treatment

Statement of problem Mandibular implant overdentures provide improved treatment outcome than conventional denture therapy, but there is controversy as to which overdenture treatment is the best choice. Purpose This study evaluated 3 different mandibular implant overdenture treatments with respect to prosthesis retention and stability, tissue response, patient satisfaction and preference, and complications to determine treatment outcomes. Material and Methods In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, using a crossover design, 30 subjects (mean age, 58.9; 63% male) received 4 implants in the anterior mandible. For each subject, 3 different overdenture attachment types were fabricated and/or fitted to the implants. These included a 4-implant bar attachment fitted to all 4 implants, a 2-implant bar attachment, and 2 independent ball attachments. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 possible treatment sequences and received all 3 attachment types each for approximately 1 year. Data were collected at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months for treatment types. Denture retention and stability and parameters of soft tissue response were recorded. Complications were documented and questionnaires were used to identify subject masticatory ability, denture complaints, and preferences. Data were analyzed to determine statistical equivalence among the 3 different treatments using the Schuirmann's two one-sided test (TOST) procedure, and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney TOST procedure (α=.05). Results Force gauge prosthesis retention measurements showed that the 3 treatment types were not statistically equivalent, with the 4-implant bar demonstrating the greatest retention. Criterion-based retention scores were statistically equivalent for all treatments. Both the force gauge and criterion-based prosthesis stability measurements were statistically equivalent among all 3 treatment types. Analysis of all other multiple criterion-based scoring systems indicated the majority of these variables demonstrated equivalence. Where equivalence was not identified, the most favorable responses were typically found with the O-ring treatment, and the least favorable with the 4-implant bar treatment. From the small percentage of treatment visits demonstrating minor complications, no single treatment presented with greater complications than the others. For the treatment preference among subjects, 52% selected the independent ball attachment, 32% the 4-implant bar, and 16% the 2-implant bar ( P =.10). Conclusions The 2-implant independent treatment used in this study provided equivalent or more favorable treatment outcomes for most measured parameters relative to the more complex and costly 2- and 4-implant bar attachments. The 4-implant bar treatment provided greater prosthesis retention than the other treatment types in this study, but after experience with all systems, subjects were more satisfied with and preferred the independent implant treatment.
Interaction between cells, hyaluronic acid and collagen.

(1977). Interaction Between Cells, Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 94-94.
Forward-backward asymmetries in hadronically produced lepton pairs.

It has now become possible to observe appreciable numbers of hadronically produced lepton pairs in mass ranges where the contributions of the photon and ${Z}^{0}$ are comparable. Consequently, in the reaction $p\overline{p}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}+\ensuremath{\cdots}$, substantial forward-backward asymmetries can be seen. These asymmetries provide a test of the electroweak theory in a new regime of energies, and can serve as diagnostics for any new neutral vector bosons coupling both to quarks and to charged lepton pairs.
STARK-MIXING SIGNALS IN THE n = 4 TERM OF SINGLY IONIZED HELIUM.

We present data for signals associated with the crossing of fine structure levels of a hydrogenlike atom when these levels are excited at a uniform rate and coupled by the application of a static electric field. With modest electric field strengths, strong crossing signals are seen even when the lowest order of coupling for the two levels involved is third order.
Anemia and cardiovascular disease, hospitalization, end stage renal disease, and death in older patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Large observational studies examining the association between anemia and “hard” clinical outcomes are rare in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Fabrication of freestanding SWCNT networks for fast microbolometric focal plane array sensor

We have investigated the feasibility of significantly improving the performance of currently favored uncooled infrared (IR) detectors based on Si or VO x microbolometers with a new design employing freestanding suspended network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Such networks have high absorption coefficient, high temperature coefficient of the resistance (TCR) and extremely low thermal mass. This combination of parameters translates into an uncooled IR detector with high sensitivity and a very fast temporal response. We show estimates of key parameters for such a device, demonstrate a method to prepare it using suspended SWCNT networks achieved by selective removal of a sacrificial oxide layer, thereby forming a cavity under the SWCNT network. We also present TCR and photothermal bolometric response data of this conceptual structure.
On the growth rate maximum in extended-chain growth of crystals of linear paraffins

Abstract Isothermal crystallization of a pure n-paraffin at temperatures near its melting point results in extended chain crystals whose growth rate-crystallization temperature curve exhibits a maximum and whose melting point appears to be lower than that expected. This behaviour can be explained in terms of polymer crystal nucleation theory with a model in which registration of chain ends is not perfect resulting in a transient layer of cilia on the crystal and to an end surface free energy σ' for that ciliated surface. The presence of the maximum, however, requires a decreasing nucleation rate with decreasing temperature—contrary to customary expectations. This can be shown to be a consequence of the crystallization of (essentially) fixed length stems: the combination of the relevant nucleation and backward reaction terms thus giving rise to the maximum. The temperature at which the maximum occurs is a function of the degree of imperfection at the end surface.
Blinking in quantum dots: The origin of the grey state and power law statistics.

Quantum dot (QD) blinking is characterized by switching between an ``on'' state and an ``off'' state, and a power-law distribution of on and off times with exponents from 1.0 to 2.0. The origin of blinking behavior in QDs, however, has remained a mystery. Here we describe an energy-band model for QDs that captures the full range of blinking behavior reported in the literature and provides new insight into features such as the gray state, the power-law distribution of on and off times, and the power-law exponents.
Ge on Si and InP/InGaAs single photon avalanche diodes

This paper describes single photon detection for Ge on Si separate-absorption-charge-multiplication (SACM) avalanche photodiodes and advances in quenching for InP/InGaAs single photon avalanche diodes.
Using the curve moment and the PSO-SVM method to diagnose downhole conditions of a sucker rod pumping unit

Downhole working conditions of sucker rod pumping wells are automatically identified on a computer from the analysis of dynamometer cards. In this process, extraction of feature parameters and pattern classification are two key steps. The dynamometer card is firstly divided into four parts which include different production information according to the “four point method” used in actual oilfield production, and then the moment invariants for pattern recognition are extracted. An improved support vector machine (SVM) method is used for pattern classification whose error penalty parameter C and kernel function parameter g are optimally chosen by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The simulation results show the method proposed in this paper has good classification results.
Adapting SAFT-γ perturbation theory to site-based molecular dynamics simulation. III. Molecules with partial charges at bulk phases, confined geometries and interfaces.

In Paper I [A. F. Ghobadi and J. R. Elliott, J. Chem. Phys. 139(23), 234104 (2013)], we showed that how a third-order Weeks–Chandler–Anderson (WCA) Thermodynamic Perturbation Theory and molecular simulation can be integrated to characterize the repulsive and dispersive contributions to the Helmholtz free energy for realistic molecular conformations. To this end, we focused on n-alkanes to develop a theory for fused and soft chains. In Paper II [A. F. Ghobadi and J. R. Elliott, J. Chem. Phys. 141(2), 024708 (2014)], we adapted the classical Density Functional Theory and studied the microstructure of the realistic molecular fluids in confined geometries and vapor-liquid interfaces. We demonstrated that a detailed consistency between molecular simulation and theory can be achieved for both bulk and inhomogeneous phases. In this paper, we extend the methodology to molecules with partial charges such as carbon dioxide, water, 1-alkanols, nitriles, and ethers. We show that the electrostatic interactions can be ...
Evaluating ESL Students' Performance on Proficiency Exams.

Abstract Research suggests that English as a Second Language (ESL) students have difficulty passing holistically scored proficiency exams. To determine why, researchers have investigated the role of error in regular coursework and exams, the nature of the exam and scoring procedure used, and students' writing processes. This study investigates the success of ESL students as compared to native English-speaking (NES) students on an institutional exit proficiency exam. It also compares the source of success (the exam or the appeals folder, a portfolio of writing done during the semester) and the number of attempts required by ESL students and NES students to pass the exam/course. The results indicate that ESL students are twice as likely as NES students to fail the exam, but they compensate for their failure by passing the appeal, giving ESL and NES students a comparable pass rate in the course. In addition, the results show no significant difference in the number of times the two groups attempt the exam/course. This research suggests that holistically scored proficiency exams are difficult for ESL students and that some form of portfolio assessment may be more valid to judge their writing. Suggestions for improving evaluations of ESL writing include training non-ESL faculty to evaluate ESL error during holistic readings.
A Multiparameter Data Acquisition and Display Program

A general purpose multiparameter data-acquisition, histogramming and display program is presented. The 32 input parameters of the program consist of up to 16 CAMAC words of 16 bits, and up to 16 algebraic functions of these words. Up to 64 one and two-dimensional histograms based on these parameters can be constructed, subject to up to 144 correlated conditions imposed on the input parameters. The display system consistsof a rapid refresh scope with 10 bit X and Y resolution, and a push-button panel, specifically designed to interact dynamically with either the display or the data acquisition programs. Typical event rates vary between 300 Hz and 10 kHz, depending on the number of histograms generated and on their filtering conditions.
Alaska Frostless, an inherently frost resistant potato variety

A potato clone with frost resistant foliage designated Alaska Frostless has been selected from the progeny of crosses involvingSolanum acaule and commercial varieties. Its chromosome number is (2N=5X=60). Nearly mature vines have withstood field frosting at−3 C for 2 hours and have recovered from several frosts of−2 C. Yields in cwt per acre of tubers 2–3.5 inch in diameter have equaled those of Alaska's standard varieties. Dry matter of 21.7% is equivalent to that of the Green Mountain variety. Tubers are flattened, round, smooth and white with a nonuniform faintly purple blush after exposure to light. Culinary quality, flavor, and texture are very good.
Identifying saltcedar with hyperspectral data and support vectormachines

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) are a group of dense phreatophytic shrubs and trees that are invasive to riparian areas throughout the United States. This study determined the feasibility of using hyperspectral data and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to discriminate saltcedar from other cover types in west Texas. Spectral measurements were collected with a ground-based hyperspectral spectroradiometer (spectral range 350–2500 nm) in December 2008 and April 2009. Spectral data consisting of 1698 spectral bands (400–1349, 1441–1789, 1991–2359 nm) were subjected to a support vector machine classification to differentiate saltcedar from other vegetative and non-vegetative classes. For both dates, a linear kernel model with a C value (error penalty) of 100 was found optimum for separating saltcedar from the other classes. It identified saltcedar with accuracies ranging from 95% to 100%. Findings support further exploration of hyperspectral remote sensing technology and SVM classifiers for differentiating sa...
Do breastfed infants need supplemental vitamins

Table 2 shows that human milk will not meet the DRI for all vitamins in breastfeeding infants. The most glaring discrepancy between intake and the RDA is for vitamin D, although, as discussed, infants may synthesize this from sunlight exposure. Vitamin K must be given in the newborn period. Deficiencies of other vitamins are rare, especially if mothers are nourished adequately. If breastfeeding infants are to be supplemented with vitamin D or any other vitamins, the standard liquid preparations available all contain large amounts of the water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins (except for vitamin K), which more than meets the RDA. The milk content of thiamin, pyridoxine, and niacin is correlated highly with maternal intake, and these vitamins are all present in relatively large amounts in standard multivitamin tablets given to lactating mothers. In conclusion, in healthy, breastfed infants of well-nourished mothers, there is little risk for vitamin deficiencies and the need for vitamin supplementation is rare. The exceptions to this are a need for vitamin K in the immediate newborn period and vitamin D in breastfed infants with dark skin or inadequate sunlight exposure.
The development and maturation of humanitarian psychology

Humanitarian psychological support as an organized field is relatively young. Pioneers in the field were involved primarily in providing psychological support to refugees and internally displaced persons in conflict and nonconflict situations. This article describes basic principles for the design of psychological support programs and interventions. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) began a psychological support program in 1991. The IFRC chose psychological first aid as its model for implementation in developing countries. Psychological first aid fits all the principles for psychological support program design and is adapted to individual communities. The first generation of psychological support programs differed dramatically depending on the countries in which they were developed. A second generation of psychological support programs evolved in response to the earthquake/tsunami of December 26, 2004. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee international guidelines consolidated the advances of second-generation programs and provided a clear indication of the wide acceptance of the importance of psychological support. A glimpse is provided of the third generation of psychological support programs, and an admonition is made for a more empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions.
Acetate and Formate Stress: Opposite Responses in the Proteome of Escherichia coli

Acetate and formate are major fermentation products of Escherichia coli. Below pH 7, the balance shifts to lactate; an oversupply of acetate or formate retards growth. E. coli W3110 was grown with aeration in potassium-modified Luria broth buffered at pH 6.7 in the presence or absence of added acetate or formate, and the protein profiles were compared by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Acetate increased the steady-state expression levels of 37 proteins, including periplasmic transporters for amino acids and peptides (ArtI, FliY, OppA, and ProX), metabolic enzymes (YfiD and GatY), the RpoS growth phase regulon, and the autoinducer synthesis protein LuxS. Acetate repressed 17 proteins, among them phosphotransferase (Pta). An ackA-pta deletion, which nearly eliminates interconversion between acetate and acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), led to elevated basal levels of 16 of the acetate-inducible proteins, including the RpoS regulon. Consistent with RpoS activation, the ackA-pta strain also showed constitutive extreme-acid resistance. Formate, however, repressed 10 of the acetate-inducible proteins, including the RpoS regulon. Ten of the proteins with elevated basal levels in the ackA-pta strain were repressed by growth of the mutant with formate; thus, the formate response took precedence over the loss of the ackA-pta pathway. The similar effects of exogenous acetate and the ackA-pta deletion, and the opposite effect of formate, could have several causes; one possibility is that the excess buildup of acetyl-CoA upregulates stress proteins but excess formate depletes acetyl-CoA and downregulates these proteins.
Application of NASA Climate Models and Missions to Agriculture DSS: The Solutions Network Approach

Climate variability and change projections from NASA global climate models (GCMs) and mission output can provide solutions for agricultural agencies mandated to promote agricultural efficiency and protect against agricultural risk. Greater agricultural efficiency can be achieved through greater understanding of global climate and weather, provided climate and weather forecasts are accurate and timely and go to the agricultural decision-makers responsible for food and water management.
Sociology for the Glasnost Era: Institutional and Substantive Changes in Recent Soviet Sociology

Gorbachev's ascent to power created a new climate for sociological research in the Soviet Union. For the first time, Soviet sociologists find themselves in a position where twy not only can pursue critical inquiry but also significantly affect the nation's political agenda. The present situation is not without its dangers, however, as it confronts social scientists with the need to balance scholarship and advocacy, scientific inquiry and political engagement. This article presents an overview of institutional, substantive, and methodological innovations in recent Soviet sociology. It examines the contribution that Soviet sociology has made to the reform process and assesses its future impact on the course of perestroika. An argument is made that even though for the time being Soviet sociologists and Party reformers act in concert, this alliance might come under strain if the pursuit offree inquiry interferes with the Communist Party's political agenda. Soviet sociology has had many ups and downs throughout its troubled history, its fortunes rising and falling with every new attempt to open up Soviet society. It sprang to life in the 1920s, during the NEP (New Economic Policy) era, which saw the pioneering efforts of Gastev, Kabo, Strumilin, and others bear impressive results in areas as diverse as labor-management relations, rural sociology, marriage and the family, prostitution, and suicide. These early successes proved short-lived. With the NEP liberalism waning, empirically oriented sociology in the Soviet Union came under attack from orthodox Marxists. In the 1930s, the fledgling discipline faded away, and so did the term "sociology," which reappeared only after World War II as a name for the "bourgeois pseudo-science of society' incompatible with the teachings of Marx, Lenin, and Stalin (Masalkov 1988; Osipov 1988; Zaslavskaia 1988a). The next wave of reforms ushered in by Khrushchev brought a revival of sociological research in the Soviet Union. In 1958, the Soviet Sociological Association (SSA) was formed. The next ten years produced a steady growth in empirical studies Tis is a revision of a paper presented at the workshop on sociology and Soviet area studies, University of Texas-Austin, April 1989. I wish to thank Dr. Wesley Fisher, whose comments and suggestions were helpful in preparing thefinal version of this articleDirect correspondence to the author at the Department of Sociology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale,
Bioprocessing for Tree Production in the Forest Industry: Conifer Somatic Embryogenesis

Cloning trees through somatic embryogenesis (SE) is considered by the industry to be an important new technology. When integrated with conventional breeding, and by facilitating and being enhanced by DNA technologies, SE will allow much faster genetic improvement of forest trees. Thus it will be a key to meeting the increasing demand for wood products per hectare of commmercial forest land. In its present form, SE technology typically consists of six to eight separate steps, starting with the initiation of embryo suspensor masses (ESM) from seed and ending with delivery of tree clones to the field. The main challenges are (1) increase the number of genotypes getting past the first step, (2) increase through-system yields, and (3) decrease the costs associated with converting cloned embryos to plants. The first limits our ability to discover outstanding clones through clonal field tests now being established. Challenges 2 and 3 must be met to allow scaled-up propagation of selected clones (from cryogenically stored ESM) by the time these tests have run their course (5+ years). To help the current effort, biochemical engineering research and development is needed in areas such as (1) measurement of in-ovulo environments, and their simulation in vitro (including novel bioreactor development), (2) quantification of culture response, through understanding cell lineage and culture chemistry, improved image analysis, molecular markers, etc., (3) machine separation and selection of embryos in liquid culture or on plates, and (4) development of embryo-to-soil delivery systems, such as manufactured seed. Commercialization of the cloning process through these efforts will usher in an era of more productive forests and a broadened range of competitively priced forest products worldwide.
Adaptive automotive speed control

An adaptive algorithm for adjusting the gains of a vehicle speed control system is presented. By continuously adjusting the proportional-integral control gains, speed control performance can be optimized for each vehicle and operating condition. This helps the design of a single speed control module that does not need additional calibration or sacrifices in performance for certain car lines. It also allows improved performance for changing road conditions not possible with a fixed-gain control or other types of adaptive control. The results of initial vehicle testing confirm the performance improvements and robustness of the adaptive controller. >
The temporal dynamics of ambivalence: Changes in positive and negative affect in relation to consumption of an “emotionally charged” food

Ambivalence is thought to impact consumption of food, alcohol and drugs, possibly via influences on craving, with cravers often being simultaneously drawn toward and repelled from ingestion. So far, little is known about the temporal dynamics of ambivalence, especially as it varies in relationship to consumption. Participants (n=482, 56.8% female) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule prior to, immediately and 30 min after the opportunity to eat a bar of chocolate. Affective ambivalence was calculated based on the relative strengths of and discrepancy between ratings of positive and negative affect. Ambivalence peaked prior to a decision about consumption and subsequently decreased, whether or not the decision was in favor of or against consuming. Decreasing ambivalence was driven by a drop in positive affect over time; positivity decreased more rapidly in those who consumed chocolate. Findings represent a first step in characterizing the dynamics of ambivalence in interactions with a target stimulus.
Constitutional Boards in Georgia

Colonial government in America prior to the Revolution consisted primarily of a provincial assembly and a royal governor. These latter officials exercised their authority without the consent of the people of the colonies and were subject to the direction and control of King and Parliament three thousand miles away. The local inhabitants were represented by the elective assembly. The many and sometimes bitter controversies between the royal governor on the one hand, and the colonial legislatures on the other, led to a distrust and resentment of the chief executive which extended well into the formative period of the union after independence was gained. Quite naturally the citizens of the colonies placed their trust in their chosen delegates. Post-revolutionary state constitutions reflected this attitude. The principle of separation of powers was not restricted to the division of state government into the legislative, executive, and judicial departments. The diffusion of authority was extended into the departments themselves, and especially into the executive office. Under the early constitutions the governors were creatures of the legislature. Little power was delegated to the executive, and even such as was allotted was divided among other executive officials chosen by the legislature and under its domination. This decentralization of executive authority was solidified by the coming of the "Andrew Jackson revolution" and the frontier philosophy of government. Under the influence of these two movements, and because of indiscretions of the legislatures which had caused a fear of concentration of power in that body, many of the independent executives were made elective by the people. Responsible government was sought by fhe spread of administrative authority among many officials subject to the control of the ballot. Though Georgia was no exception to the practice of distributing administrative power among several officials, the break-up of the executive office developed more slowly in that state than in many [ 685]
Comparing the mitochondrial genomes of Wolbachia-dependent and independent filarial nematode species

Many species of filarial nematodes depend on Wolbachia endobacteria to carry out their life cycle. Other species are naturally Wolbachia-free. The biological mechanisms underpinning Wolbachia-dependence and independence in filarial nematodes are not known. Previous studies have indicated that Wolbachia have an impact on mitochondrial gene expression, which may suggest a role in energy metabolism. If Wolbachia can supplement host energy metabolism, reduced mitochondrial function in infected filarial species may account for Wolbachia-dependence. Wolbachia also have a strong influence on mitochondrial evolution due to vertical co-transmission. This could drive alterations in mitochondrial genome sequence in infected species. Comparisons between the mitochondrial genome sequences of Wolbachia-dependent and independent filarial worms may reveal differences indicative of altered mitochondrial function. The mitochondrial genomes of 5 species of filarial nematodes, Acanthocheilonema viteae, Chandlerella quiscali, Loa loa, Onchocerca flexuosa, and Wuchereria bancrofti, were sequenced, annotated and compared with available mitochondrial genome sequences from Brugia malayi, Dirofilaria immitis, Onchocerca volvulus and Setaria digitata. B. malayi, D. immitis, O. volvulus and W. bancrofti are Wolbachia-dependent while A. viteae, C. quiscali, L. loa, O. flexuosa and S. digitata are Wolbachia-free. The 9 mitochondrial genomes were similar in size and AT content and encoded the same 12 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. Synteny was perfectly preserved in all species except C. quiscali, which had a different order for 5 tRNA genes. Protein-coding genes were expressed at the RNA level in all examined species. In phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial protein-coding sequences, species did not cluster according to Wolbachia dependence. Thus far, no discernable differences were detected between the mitochondrial genome sequences of Wolbachia-dependent and independent species. Additional research will be needed to determine whether mitochondria from Wolbachia-dependent filarial species show reduced function in comparison to the mitochondria of Wolbachia-independent species despite their sequence-level similarities.
Factor VII-activating protease: coagulation, fibrinolysis, and atherothrombosis?

The mechanistic description of a biological process first involves the development of an inventory of constituents that are presumed essential for the expression of the function. Although initially based on pathology, more frequently this inventory is developed by in vitro tests on the biochemistry, cell biology, or molecular genetics of a process. Elaborate schemes describing physiological reaction systems are frequently developed on the basis of these in vitro-developed inventories; however, it is becoming commonplace knowledge that the ultimate test of biological relevance, ie, a clinical phenotype, does not exist. In the coagulation system, this is evident in descriptions of the “intrinsic pathway” of coagulation, which take the view that surface contact activation of factor XII is the initial process.1,2 However, defects in the contact pathway produce no hemorrhagic phenotype.3 More recently, the use of transgenic animal models has provided a powerful …
Experiences with building a thin form-factor touch and tangible tabletop

In this paper we describe extensions to our work on ThinSight, necessary to scale the system to larger tabletop displays. The technique integrates optical sensors into existing off-the-shelf LCDs with minimal impact on the physical form of the display. This allows thin form-factor sensing that goes beyond the capabilities of existing multi-touch techniques, such as capacitive or resistive approaches. Specifically, the technique not only senses multiple fingertips, but outlines of whole hands and other passive tangible objects placed on the surface. It can also support sensing and communication with devices that carry embedded computation such as a mobile phone or an active stylus. We explore some of these possibilities in this paper. Scaling up the implementation to a tabletop has been non-trivial, and has resulted in modifications to the LCD architecture beyond our earlier work. We also discuss these in this paper, to allow others to make practical use of ThinSight.
Averaging tens to hundreds of icosahedral particle images to resolve protein secondary structure elements using a Multi-path Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm

Accurately determining a cryoEM particle’s alignment parameters is crucial to high resolution single particle 3-D reconstruction. We developed Multi-Path Simulated Annealing, a Monte-Carlo type of optimization algorithm, for globally aligning the center and orientation of a particle simultaneously. A consistency criterion was developed to ensure the alignment parameters are correct and to remove some bad particles from a large pool of images of icosahedral particles. Without using any a priori model, this procedure is able to reconstruct a structure from a random initial model. Combining the procedure above with a new empirical double threshold particle selection method, we are able to pick tens of best quality particles to reconstruct a subnanometer resolution map from scratch. Using the best 62
Commentary by Charles I. Plosser

Turnovsky’s chapter illustrates in a simple model the consequences of various intervention policies in the spot and forward exchange rate markets. A key element of the model is that risk aversion on the part of agents leads to a nonzero premium in the forward market. Since these premia are endogenous, they may be influenced by the intervention policies of the central bank. It is difficult to argue with the spirit of the analysis in the chapter. Economists have recognized since Lucas’ insightful work, if not before, that the behavior of private agents frequently depends on a number of factors including the relevant policy regime. My comments are primarily directed toward the model used and whether it provides a framework for a substantive analysis of the questions raised, or is simply an illustrative exercise with limited applicability for policy. Unfortunately, I’m inclined toward the latter view.
The first year of teacher preparation: Transition to pedagogical thinking?

* An earlier version of this paper was presented as part of a symposium entitled 'Teacher Thinking and Curriculum Change: New Perspectives', at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, April 1984. The authors wish to acknowledge and thank Deborah Ball, who assisted in project management and data collection.