cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An extended protocol for multiple-issue concurrent negotiation

Negotiation is the technique for reaching mutually beneficial agreement among agent via communication. A concurrent negotiation problem occurs when an agent needs to negotiate with multiple agents to reach agreement. In this paper, we present a protocol to support many-to-many bilateral multiple-issue negotiation in a competitive environment. The protocol is presented in the context of service-oriented negotiation, where one or more self-interested parties can provide services to one or more other parties. By extending existing negotiation protocols, our described protocol enables both service requestors and service providers to manage several negotiation processes in parallel. Moreover, this protocol mitigates the situation where most one-to-many negotiations are biased in favor of one participating agent, and allow the negotiation participants to make durable commitments to reduce the decommitment situation. We conclude by discussing additional issues related to concurrent multiple-issue negotiation.
Artificial Intelligence, Philosophy of

The philosophy of artificial intelligence examines the foundational assumptions, methodologies, and consequences of the field of artificial intelligence. Keywords: philosophy; representation; semantics; content; intentionality; computers; computation; cognition; frame problem; Godel; methodology; connectionism; behavior-based robotics; consciousness; Chinese room argument
The role of race and poverty on steps to kidney transplantation in the Southeastern United States.

Racial disparities in access to renal transplantation exist, but the effects of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on early steps of renal transplantation have not been well explored. Adult patients referred for renal transplant evaluation at a single transplant center in the Southeastern United States from 2005 to 2007, followed through May 2010, were examined. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patient's medical records and then linked with United States Renal Data System and American Community Survey Census data. Cox models examined the effect of race on referral, evaluation, waitlisting and organ receipt. Of 2291 patients, 64.9% were black, the mean age was 49.4 years and 33.6% lived in poor neighborhoods. Racial disparities were observed in access to referral, transplant evaluation, waitlisting and organ receipt. SES explained almost one-third of the lower rate of transplant among black versus white patients, but even after adjustment for demographic, clinical and SES factors, blacks had a 59% lower rate of transplant than whites (hazard ratio = 0.41; 95% confidence interval: 0.28–0.58). Results suggest that improving access to healthcare may reduce some, but not all, of the racial disparities in access to kidney transplantation.
The Intersection of Online and Face-to-Face Teaching: Implications for Virtual School Teacher Practice and Professional Development.

AbstractThis mixed-method study reports perspectives of virtual school teachers on the impact of online teaching on their face-to-face practice. Data from a large-scale survey of teachers in the North Carolina Virtual Public School (n = 214), focus groups (n = 7), and interviews (n = 5) demonstrate multiple intersections between online and face-to-face teaching. Seventy-seven percent of teachers agreed that teaching online impacted their face-to-face practice. Teachers discussed changes in instructional practices, communication modes, roles of teachers and students, and shifts in purpose and profession. Findings of this study have relevance for teacher education programs and in-service professional development for teachers who will be needed to bridge K–12 online and face-to-face modalities.
Block ionomer complexes containing cationic antibiotics to kill intracellular Brucella melitensis in vitro

Brucellosis, caused by Brucella spp., is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide. It is difﬁcult to eradicatebecause the pathogen resides partially within phagocytic host cells and the polar antibiotics that are recommendedfor treatment do not enter cells efﬁciently. Core-shell block ionomer complexes (BICs) carrying antibiotics in theircores were designed to transport these drugs into cells. Polyether–polyacrylate copolymers were condensed withcationic aminoglycoside antibiotics to form BICs with diameters of 170–340nm in water. An anionic poly(acrylate-b-ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide-b-acrylate) copolymer blended with a poly(ethylene oxide-b-acrylate) diblock was condensed with gentamicin to afford complexes containing up to 42wt% of the antibiotic.Thepoly(propyleneoxide)contributedhydrophobicinteractionsthatenhancedstabilityofthecomplexesinaqueousmedia,whereasthehydrophilicblocksprovidedastericbrushtokeepthestructuresdispersed.InvitroefﬁcacyoftheBICs to reduce intracellular Brucella was studied in murine macrophage-like cells. Signiﬁcant bacterial reductions of2.78 and 2.85 logs were obtained relative to only 0.75 logs for the free drug. This suggests that the BICs are efﬁcienttransporters of polar antibiotics into phagocytic cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Keywords: block ionomer complexes; polyether–polyacrylate; aminoglycoside; gentamicin
A nano-immunoassay system for monitoring targeted drug impact on signaling pathways from small samples of primary hematopoietic malignancies

C22 Measuring the effect of targeted drug therapy on signal transduction pathways is important for drug development and cancer treatment. Cancer is caused by activation of oncogenes and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Regulation of many of these oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes occurs through signal transduction pathways which are often the point of intervention of targeted therapeutics. Specific oncogene inhibition can be an effective therapy for cancer, as documented in animal models and in human cancers. Using a mouse model of lymphoma we have previously shown that suppressing the activation of the MYC oncogene induces sustained tumor regression. Here we demonstrate the use of a nano-immunoassay platform (Firefly TM system) to measure changes in the expression and activation of a variety of onco/signaling proteins. By measuring the response of AKT, ERK, MYC, MEK, STAT and JNK in malignant cells before and after treatment we hypothesize that patterns will be revealed indicative of therapeutic clinical response. The levels of the different proteins were measured with high accuracy and sensitivity in as few as 400 cells. Since this technology separates different phosphorylated forms of a protein based on their isoelectric point, a single pan-specific antibody was able to distinguish between the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms of each protein. Interestingly, we were able to identify an effect of the small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Gleevec, on specific isoforms of ERK protein in patients responding to therapy not seen in refractory patients. Hence, this novel technique can measure the levels of key signaling proteins in oncogenic pathways from very small samples. Comparison of this technique was performed with Western blot and phospho-protein FACS analyses. This approach can potentially be used for high throughput analysis of microscopic clinical specimens for biomarker discovery, molecular diagnostics, clinical screening and to monitor changes in signaling during therapeutic interventions.
Metoprolol for action tremor following intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract Tremor has been rarely described as a manifestation of stroke. A 21-year-old left-handed man developed severe action tremor of his distal left upper extremity and hand following a right parieto-occipital intracerebral hemorrhage. Strength of the left upper extremity improved gradually during a 3-month period but a severe action tremor developed. The patient was treated with the cardioselective beta-blocking agent, metoprolol, initially for elevated blood pressure and tachycardia at 25mg twice daily for approximately 2 months. Metoprolol was then increased at weekly intervals by 25mg twice daily to a total of 100mg twice daily. Tremor intensity decreased clinically and graphically as monitored by a trace test by having the patient attempt to trace a horizontal and vertical axis and scoring the errors. The scores declined weekly from the first week (4,347), second week (3,786), third week (1,088), to the fourth week (484). No adverse cognitive or cardiopulmonary effects were noted. Action tremor should be considered as one of the movement disorders caused by hemorrhagic cerebral infarction. This case responded well to treatment with metoprolol.
Degradation of Nucleic Acids by Lysosomal Extracts of Rat Liver and Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells

Abstract The ability of rat liver lysosomes and Ehrlich ascites tumor lysosomes to degrade nucleic acids has been studied. Extracts of rat liver tritosomes and of tumor cell mitochondrial plus lysosomal fractions were incubated with various types of DNA and RNA from sources ranging from bacteria to mammals. The extracts were able to hydrolyze all the nucleic acids completely to free nucleosides and inorganic phosphate. The influence of the nature and concentration of substrate, of pH, and of temperature are reported for calf thymus DNA and yeast-soluble RNA. In comparison with the lysosomal enzyme systems responsible for the hydrolysis of other cellular constituents, it appears that the nuclease systems have similar stability and may be even more active.
Natural Rust on Stone

The iron content of the earth’s crust averages 5%. At the earth’s surface iron is tied up as green or black ferrous-ferric iron in the ferromagnesian silicates, as the black ferrous-ferric oxide magnetite, as the yellowish ferrous sulphides, pyrite and marcasite; as the grey to dark-brown ferrous carbonate siderite, and as the red or black ferric oxide hematite. The last is not only a common pigment in rock but can also accumulate as our most important iron ore. In humid atmospheres the brown to ochre-brown ferric hydroxide, goethite, is the most important mineral of the common “rust”, alpha-FeOOH. Goethite is usually accompanied by amorphous (not yet crystallized) ferric hydroxide of the same color. Natural rust is summarized as the “mineral” limonite which is not a mineral in the true sense. All the minerals mentioned here tend to adjust to the humid or semi-humid atmospheric surface conditions as they weather to ferric hydroxide or limonite. Metallic iron also changes to rust, mostly amorphous ferric hydroxide with some magnetic brown maghemite, gamma-Fe2O3. Crystallization or aging of the non-crystalline ferric hydroxide leads to the formation of submicroscopic goethite. In some rare instances deep orange gamma-FeOOH, lepidocrocite, can form.
Thermal dilution curves in the study of circulatory shunts. Instrumentation and clinical applications.

Abstract A transistorized d.c. amplifier, which when used with a thermistor permits the recording of stable linear thermal dilution curves, is described. The applicability of the thermal dilution technic to the study of patients with circulatory shunts has been demonstrated.
Generation of attosecond x-ray pulses with a multi-cycle two-color ESASE scheme

Generation of attosecond x-ray pulses is attracting much attention within the x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) user community. Several schemes using extremely short laser pulses to manipulate the electron bunches have been proposed. In this paper, we extend the attosecond two-color ESASE scheme proposed by Zholents et al. to the long optical cycle regime using a second detuned laser and a tapered undulator. Both lasers can be about ten-optical-cycles long, with the second laser frequency detuned from the first to optimize the contrast between the central and side current spikes. A tapered undulator mitigates the degradation effect of the longitudinal space charge (LSC) force in the undulator and suppresses the FEL gain of all side current peaks. Simulations using the LCLS parameters show a single attosecond x-ray spike of {approx} 110 attoseconds can be produced. The second laser can also be detuned to coherently control the number of the side x-ray spikes and the length of the radiation pulse.
Optically observable zero-age main-sequence O stars

A list of 50 optically observable O stars that are likely on or very near the ZAMS is presented. They have been selected on the basis of five distinct criteria, although some of them exhibit more than one. Three of the criteria are spectroscopic (He II \lambda4686 absorption stronger than in normal luminosity class V spectra, abnormally broad or strong Balmer lines, weak UV wind profiles for their spectral types), one is environmental (association with dense, dusty nebular knots), and one is photometric (derived absolute magnitudes fainter than class V). Very few of these stars have been physically analyzed, and they have not been considered in the current framework of early massive stellar evolution. In particular, they may indicate that the earliest, embedded phases are not as large a fraction of the main-sequence lifetimes as is currently believed. Detailed analyses of these objects will likely prove essential to a complete understanding of the early evolution of massive stars.
Sulfites in foods: uses, analytical methods, residues, fate, exposure assessment, metabolism, toxicity, and hypersensitivity.

Publisher Summary Sulfiting agents have a long history of use as food ingredients. Sulfur dioxide and several forms of inorganic sulfites, which liberate sulfur dioxide under the conditions of use, are food additives, collectively known as sulfiting agents. In addition to their use as food additives, the sulfites can also occur naturally in foods. Foods contain a variety of sulfur-containing compounds, including the sulfur amino acids, sulfates, sulfites, and sulfides. The key to the understanding of sulfite toxicity may lie in elucidation of sulfite metabolism. Several researchers have proposed that defects in sulfite metabolism among certain segments of the human population may put them at greater risk to the possible toxic effects of sulfite ingestion. If the current generally recognized as safe (GRAS) review leads to some limitation on the continued use of sulfites, it will be necessary to consider alternatives. Enzymatic browning will be inhibited by any process that destroys or inactivates the enzyme. Blanching would obviously work but is impractical for using on fresh fruits and vegetables. Despite their long history of use as food additives, much remains to be learned about sulfites, which would be helpful to the present concerns about their safety.
Electronic coherence and the kinetics of inter-complex energy transfer in light-harvesting systems

We apply real-time path-integral dynamics simulations to characterize the role of electronic coherence in inter-complex excitation energy transfer (EET) processes. The analysis is performed using a system-bath model that exhibits the essential features of light-harvesting networks, including strong intra-complex electronic coupling and weak inter-complex coupling. Strong intra-complex coupling is known to generate both static and dynamic electron coherences, which delocalize the exciton over multiple chromophores and potentially influence the inter-complex EET dynamics. With numerical results from partial linearized density matrix (PLDM) real-time path-integral calculations, it is found that both static and dynamic coherence are correlated with the rate of inter-complex EET. To distinguish the impact of these two types of intra-complex coherence on the rate of inter-complex EET, we use Multi-Chromophore Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (MC-FRET) theory to map the original parameterization of the system-bath model to an alternative parameterization for which the effects of static coherence are preserved while the effects of dynamic coherence are largely eliminated. It is then shown that both parameterizations of the model (i.e., the original that supports dynamic coherence and the alternative that eliminates it), exhibit nearly identical EET kinetics and population dynamics over a wide range of parameters. These observations are found to hold for cases in which either the EET donor or acceptor is a dimeric complex and for cases in which the dimeric complex is either symmetric or asymmetric. The results from this study suggest that dynamic coherence plays only a minor role in the actual kinetics of inter-complex EET, whereas static coherence largely governs the kinetics of incoherent inter-complex EET in light-harvesting networks.
Rhetoric, Care and Suffering Injustice: Justifying Leadership Change in Plato's Gorgias

One of the lessons in Plato’s Gorgias is that leaders ought to make their citizens more virtuous. While Socrates briefly outlines what this would mean for a ― good and artful‖ rhetor, the kind of rhetoric employed by this person has not been seen before. If we accept that Socrates is being serious that all present and past leaders of Athens do not make their citizens better, then we are forced to ask what the public’s responsibility in this situation is. One passage alludes to the possibility of revolution as a just response to bad leadership. I sketch out what prerequisites are necessary for this meting out of justice to be in accordance with the rest of dialogue. I argue that, in some cases, Socrates must support action against the leader in order to avoid further injustices perpetrated against the citizens. I rely on Socrates’ conception of care outlined in the Gorgias and Menexenus to support this reading. I conclude with a consideration of the Mytilene Debate to argue for a particular kind of rhetor that cares for the public through criticism rather than flattery and friendship.
Theory of magnetic cross valves

A PHYSICAL and mathematical theory of the interaction of two mutually orthogonal coils in a ferromagnetic medium is developed. For purposes of analysis, an idealized configuration with cross-sectional view, as shown in Fig. 1, is studied. Two coils, x and y, are wound at right angles to each other about a cylinder of ferromagnetic material of permeability ?. The structure is then immersed in a medium of infinite permeability. This last requirement is not stringent, it being required only that the saturation effects be confined to the central core for purposes of analysis. It is assumed further that the core material has no hysteresis or eddy-current losses while its typically nonlinear magnetization curve is as shown in Fig. 2. It is shown how the nonlinearity in the magnetization curve results in the interaction of the orthogonal circuits.
Butanol-extractable and detergent-solubilized cell surface components from murine large cell lymphoma cells associated with adhesion to organ microvessel endothelial cells.

Metastatic variant cell lines of the murine RAW117 large cell lymphoma were used to study the cell surface components involved in syngeneic tumor cell/microvessel endothelial cell interactions. Poorly liver-metastatic parental RAW 117-P cell line adhered to murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell monolayers at significantly lower rates than the liver-selected, highly liver-metastatic RAW117-H10 line and both cell lines were poorly adherent to lung microvessel and bovine aorta endothelial cells. Viable, 2% 1-butanol-treated RAW117-H10 tumor cells formed fewer liver tumor nodules in experimental metastasis assays than untreated H10 cells and were significantly less adherent to murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell monolayers. When 2% 1-butanol extracts of metabolically labeled or CHAPS detergent Iysates of cell surface-labeled tumor cells were analyzed for their ability to bind to fixed microvessel endothelial cell monolayers, quantitative differences were found in the extractable tumor cell surface components that bound to the different organ-derived microvessel endothelial cells. Cell surface components (1-butanol extractable), of Mr ∼ 85,000–90,000 and ∼ 37,000–40,000 bound to hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cell monolayers to a greater extent than to murine lung microvessel endothelial or bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers, Whereas tumor cell surface components of Mr ∼ 45,000, ∼ 33,000, and ∼ 25,000 bound similarly to endothelial cells regardless of origin. The results suggest but do not prove that tumor cell/endothelial cell adhesion involves multiple tumor cell surface components, some of which commonly bind to various endothelial cells and others for which binding may be dictated by the tissue origin and type of endothelial cell. Particular RAW117 butanol-extractable cell membrane components were associated with tumor cell-endothelial cell adhesion, and these components could be responsible, in part, for the preferential adhesion of RAW117 cells to liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and metastasis to liver.
Synthesis and anion binding properties of N,N'-bispyrrol-2-yl-2,5-diamidopyrrole.

A bispyrrol-2-yl-2,5-diamidopyrrole has been synthesized and shown to have a significantly higher affinity for oxo-anions than previous generation 2,5-diamidopyrroles.
Role of Echocardiography in Detecting the Anatomic and Physiologic Abnormalities of Constrictive Pericarditis

Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is associated with thickening of the pericardium (P), rapid filling of the ventricles, and a steep rise of early diastolic pressure in the right and left ventricles. We investigated the frequency with which echocardiography detects the characteristic anatomic and physiologic abnormalities of CP. M-mode echocardiography was performed in 10 patients with CP. All patients had evidence of pericardial thickening. Eight patients had motion of the P parallel to the epicardium with an echo-free space between the two structures. Two patients had a small pericardial and left pleural effusion sandwiching the P which measured 8 mm, and 14 mm respectively. Premature pulmonic valve opening indicating a high right ventricular early diastolic pressure which exceeded the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure was present in all 5 patients in whom the pulmonic valve was recordable. A notch on the septum in early diastole was seen in 6 patients. Sharp posterior motion of the left ventricular posterior wall in early diastole followed by a flat segment was noted in 7 patients. Motion of the posterior wall of the aortic root (PWAo) in diastole has been shown to indicate left atrial volume changes or reflect left ventricular filling. An index of early diastolic left ventricular filling derived from the motion of the posterior wall of the aortic root, indicated abnormally rapid early diastolic filling in all 8 patients in whom this was measured. We conclude: 1) The anatomic and physiologic abnormalities in CP are commonly reflected on the echocardiogram, and 2) echocardiography should be useful in evaluation of patients suspected of having CP.
Auto travel fuel elasticity in a rapidly developing urban area

Abstract This paper presents results of a study conducted to quantify the effect of fuel cost increases on household auto travel in Riyadh, the rapidly developing capital of Saudi Arabia. Responses of a stratified random sample of 1648 individual households provided the data base for the analysis. The auto trip measures of shrinkage ratio, arc and log-arc elasticities were calculated for households categorized by income and family size. The elasticity measures suggested the existence of significant relationship among the factors of fuel cost, the number of daily auto trips, and family size. It was found that as fuel prices increased, the number of daily trips decreased, and that this decrease in daily trips was greater with larger family size. A step-wise multiple regression analysis with three independent variables of car ownership, family size, and daily fuel expenditures was developed. The model was fairly accurate in predicting variations in daily household travel. The regression parameter of the variable fuel cost was also used to derive demand elasticity to fuel expenditures. Elasticity measures ranged between -0.30 and -0.37.
Butler submatrix feed systems for antenna arrays

Several small order Butler matrices may be interconnected to replace a single large Butler matrix normally employed in beam forming and scanning networks for linear and circular arrays. This permits reduction in the size of the feed system resulting in a saving of system components and hardware. The penalty is an increase in the beamwidth for circular arrays and a reduction in the number of beams for linear arrays. The submatrix feed system has the additional advantage that it can be used to excite arrays with N elements ( N \neq 2^{n} ), which normally cannot be fed by a single Butler matrix.
Fluorescence polarization studies of the conformation of soil fulvic acid

The conformation of soil fulvic acid was studied by fluorescence polarization as a function of pH, concentration, and ionic strength. Rotational relaxation times were measured from the slopes of plots of polarization vs. the ratio of temperature to viscosity. The rotational relaxation time did not change over the pH range 5–8 or over the concentration range 3.3 X 10-5–3.3 × 10-4 M fulvic acid. This suggests that fulvic acid does not aggregate or change conformation. Changes in ionic strength also do not cause a measurable change in rotational relaxation time. A net rotational relaxation of 2.0 ns was calculated for fulvic acid. This value is based on a fluorescence lifetime of 2.1 ns which is the best single exponential fit to the observed fluorescence decay. A molecular weight of 2400 was calculated for fulvic acid assuming that fulvic acid is spherical. The discrepancy between this value and the true number-average molecular weight of 990 suggests that fulvic acid exists in a flat extended conformation.
Modeling and Analysis of End-to-End Quality of Service Provisioning in Virtualization-Based Future Internet

Network virtualization has been propounded as a key attribute of the future internetworking paradigm and is expected to play a crucial role in the next generation Inter- net. In network virtualization environments, service providers utilize the networking resources provided by multiple network infrastructures to offer end-to-end services. Therefore, resource allocation for end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning in network virtualization becomes a significant research problem. This paper investigates this problem from a service provider's perspective. The main contributions of this paper include an analytical model for end-to-end service provisioning in network virtualization and the analysis techniques for allocating resources in network infrastructures to provide end-to-end QoS guarantees. The modeling and analysis techniques developed in this paper are general and flexible; thus are applicable to the various het- erogeneous networking systems coexisting in the future Internet.
A quasi-classical trajectory study of product vibrational distributions in the OH + H2 → H2O + H reaction

Abstract Product H2O vibrational distributions are calculated for the OH + H2 reaction using a fitted ab initio potential surface and a classical perturbation theory method to determine vibrational good action variables. Substantial excitation in all vibrational modes is found.
Modified Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction: new concepts about old ideas.

Abstract Introduction. The modern Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction is a procedure that has evolved during the past 82 years. During this time, the modifications and contributions of several urologic surgeons have improved the procedure and ultimate patient outcomes. We review the evolution and describe in detail our version of the Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction procedure. Technical Considerations. Optimally, patients should have a minimal bladder capacity of 85 mL and be mature enough to participate in a postoperative voiding program. Adequate radical exposure of the lateral aspects of the bladder and bladder neck are important. Cephalotrigonal or cross-trigonal ureteral reimplantation is typically performed to mobilize the ureters in relation to the proposed bladder neck and correct reflux. A mucosal template 15 mm wide by 30 mm long is created that will serve as the reconstituted posterior urethra and bladder neck. Triangular lateral bladder mucosal wedges are marked and demucosalized. The neourethra is closed over an 8F Firlit tube. The demucosalized flaps are brought over the urethra sequentially in a “vest-over-pants” fashion with the final layer consisting of suspension sutures. Finally, ureteral stents and a suprapubic tube are used, but no urethral catheter is left in place. Conclusions. The modern Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction is the result of the contributions of various urologic surgeons during 82 years. When patients are appropriately selected, it is an effective method of lower urinary tract reconstruction in cases of congenital urinary incontinence.
A Note on Detecting Dominant Points

Detecting dominant points is a crucial preprocessing step for shape recognition and point-based motion estimation. Polygonal approximation has been a commonly used approach to detecting dominant points. This paper presents two alternatives which detect stable dominant points.
Sympathy, commitment, and preference

While very much in Sen's camp in rejecting revealed preference theory and emphasizing the complexity, incompleteness, and context dependence of preference and the intellectual costs of supposing that all the factors influencing choice can be captured by a single notion of preference, this essay contests his view that economists should recognize multiple notions of preference. It argues that Sen's concerns are better served by embracing a single conception of preference and insisting on the need for analysis of the multiple factors that determine ‘preference’ so conceived.
Effects of lipids on cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterases.

Abstract Several naturally-occurring lipids but not n-propanol, guanidine-HCl or a variety of synthetic detergents stimulate the 3′,5′-cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase activities of a supernatant fraction of brain at 1.25 × 10 −7 M cAMP. The time courses of the reaction are linear in the presence and absence of lipid. On the other hand, lipid has different effects on various phosphodiesterase activities in fractions obtained after gel filtration of the crude extract. It stimulates the phosphodiesterase activities measured at 1.25 × 10 −7 M and 10 −4 M 3′,5′-cyclic-AMP and 1.25 × 10 −7 M 3′,5′-cyclic GMP in two of the fractions partially retained in the gel. However, lipid has little effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis of low concentrations of cAMP or cGMP and markedly inhibits the hydrolysis of high concentrations of cAMP by the fraction excluded from the gel.
Forecasting the future in space: Highlights from the TechCast Project

Abstract Space technology and activities have changed markedly from the early days of the space era and are continuing to develop rapidly. The TechCast Project—set up to pool the knowledge of experts in the scientific fields—includes space in its predictions. Here its president reports on its space forecasts for the 21st century. The importance of the shift towards the privatization of space is noted and the near-to-medium-term impossibility of interstellar travel conceded. Contact with ETI is deemed much more likely, however.
After chronic opioid exposure sensory neurons become supersensitive to the excitatory effects of opioid agonists and antagonists as occurs after acute elevation of GM1 ganglioside

Mouse sensory dorsal-root ganglion (DRG) neurons chronically exposed to 1 microM D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) for greater than 1 week in culture become tolerant to opioid inhibitory effects, i.e. shortening of the duration of the calcium-dependent component of the action potential (APD). Acute application of higher concentrations of DADLE (ca. 10 microM) to these treated neurons not only fails to shorten the APD but, instead, generally elicits excitatory effects, i.e. prolongation of the APD. The present study shows that chronic DADLE- or morphine-treated DRG neurons also become supersensitive to the excitatory effects of opioids. Whereas nM concentrations of dynorphin(1-13) are generally required to prolong the APD of naive DRG neurons, fM levels become effective after chronic opioid treatment. Whereas 1-30 nM naloxone or diprenorphine do not alter the APD of naive DRG neurons, both opioid antagonists unexpectedly prolong the APD of most of the treated cells. Similar supersensitivity to the excitatory effects of opioid agonists and antagonists was previously observed after acute treatment of naive DRG neurons with GM1 ganglioside. Our results suggest that both chronic opioid and acute GM1 treatments of DRG neurons greatly enhance the efficacy of opioid excitatory receptor functions so that even the extremely weak agonist properties of naloxone and diprenorphine become effective in prolonging the APD of these treated cells when tested at low concentrations, whereas their antagonist properties at inhibitory opioid receptors do not appear to be altered. Furthermore, whereas cholera toxin-B subunit (CTX-B; 1-10 nM) blocks opioid-induced APD prolongation in naive DRG neurons (presumably by interfering with endogenous GM1 modulation of excitatory opioid receptors functions), even much higher concentrations of CTX-B were ineffective in chronic opioid-treated as well as acute GM1-elevated neurons. These and related data suggest that opioid excitatory supersensitivity in chronic opioid-treated DRG neurons may be due to a cyclic AMP-dependent increase in GM1 ganglioside levels. Our results may clarify mechanisms of opioid dependence and the paradoxical supersensitivity to naloxone which triggers withdrawal symptoms after opiate addiction.
A Sustainable Entrepreneurship Training Program

The Meridian Workforce Council, after its 1994 survey of business and industry, targeted “wealth-creating business and work opportunities in the poverty community” as one of its immediate goals. Af...
Tumefactions (tumorlike swellings) on the foot of the moon snail Polinices lewisii

Abstract The moon snail Polinices lewisii, with several large masses on the foot, was recovered alive from the ocean bottom. Although the lesions outwardly resembled neoplastic growths, microscopic examination revealed mainly scattered muscle fibers and edematous fluid. This fluid contained numerous and diverse microorganisms which also were present in large numbers in the surrounding “normal” tissue and in most internal organs. An amoebocytic response was not apparent. These tumefactions (tumorlike swellings) apparently developed in response to a widespread infection and represent foci of edema, rather than neoplasms.
Correlation of the structural and ferromagnetic properties of Ga1−xMnxN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) has been used to grow high-quality epitaxial films of Ga 1-x Mn x N of varying thickness and manganese doping levels. No macroscopic second phases were observed via high resolution X-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscopy revealed MOCVD-like step flow growth patterns with a mean surface roughness as low as 3.78 A in lightly doped samples, and matched that of the underlying GaN template layers. No change in the growth mechanism and morphology with Mn incorporation is observed. A uniform Mn concentration in the epitaxial layers is confirmed by secondary ion mass spectrometry. SQUID measurements showed an apparent RT ferromagnetic hysteresis with saturation magnetizations as high as 2.4μ B /Mn at x = 0.008, which decreases with increasing Mn incorporation or reduced structural quality. Co-doping with either Si or Mg during the resulting growth process resulted in a large decrease in the saturation magnetization values. Competition for incorporation between Mn and Mg during the MOCVD growth process is observed.
Fibroblast growth factor-2 binding to the endothelial basement membrane peaks at a physiologically relevant shear stress.

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is produced and released by endothelial cells and binds to heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the endothelial basement membrane (BM), an important FGF2 storage reservoir. Experimental and computational models of FGF2 binding kinetics to both cells and BM under static conditions are well established in the literature but remain largely unexplored under flow. We now examine BM-FGF2 binding kinetics in fluid flow conditions. We hypothesized that FGF2 binding to the endothelial BM would decrease as fluid shear stress increased. To investigate this, BM-FGF2 equilibrium, associative, and dissociative bindings were measured at various shear stresses. Surprisingly, FGF2 binding increased up to a physiological arterial shear stress of 25 dynes/cm 2 , after which it decreased to a level similar to the 1 dyne/cm 2 condition. Both BM-FGF2 dissociation and BM binding site availability increased with flow, while association remained constant. This suggests that force-dependent FGF2 equilibrium binding varies with shear stress due to a combination of an increase in binding site availability and FGF2 dissociation with flow. This improved understanding of BM-FGF2 binding with flow enriches current knowledge of FGF2 binding kinetics under physiologic conditions, which may contribute to improved growth factor therapy development.
The Impact of Culture and Religion in the United States and Saudi Arabia on the Concept of Justice and its Treatment of Insanity Defense

In this paper I examine convergent and divergent perspectives on justice and their relation to culpability. Two culturally distinct judicial systems serve as the focus, the American rule of law, and Saudi Arabian legal procedures. I studied cultural and legal differences by examining the insanity defense and how it is perceived and practiced in both American and Saudi Arabian societies, according to the prevailing contemporary legal systems.
Effect of ductal patency on organ blood flow and pulmonary function in the preterm baboon with hyaline membrane disease.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of early ductal ligation vs. maintenance of ductal patency on vital organ perfusion and pulmonary function in premature baboons with hyaline membrane disease. DESIGN Randomized, controlled interventional study to compare early ligation with formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus. SETTING Animal care facility at a dedicated research foundation. SUBJECTS Eighteen premature baboons delivered by hysterotomy at 140 +/- 2 day gestation. INTERVENTION Nine premature baboons underwent formalin infiltration of the ductus arteriosus (group 1), and nine underwent ductal ligation (group 2). Surgical ligation or formalin infiltration was performed at 2 to 4 hrs of age. Animals were maintained on mechanical ventilation and ventilator parameters were adjusted to maintain PaO2 and PaCO2 within the physiologic range. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Left ventricular output indexed to body weight and vital organ perfusion were measured at 24 hrs of age by the radiolabeled microsphere method. Lung mechanics, including lung wet/dry weight ratio, total lung water, static compliance and functional residual capacity were measured immediately following euthanasia. RESULTS Total pulmonary blood flow was significantly lower (p = .0001) in group 2 (mean = 94 mL/min/kg), compared with group 1 (mean = 287 mL/min/kg). Systemic blood flow and effective pulmonary blood flow were higher in group 1 (p = .07). No significant difference between groups in absolute organ blood flow was noted, although flow as a percent of left ventricular index was significantly higher in all organs except the kidney in group 2. There was no difference in arterial blood gas values, parameters of mechanical ventilation, percent lung water, or postmortem measurement of lung mechanics between groups. CONCLUSION Early ductal ligation did not result in improved cardiac output, increased organ blood flow, or improved pulmonary function. We postulate that gradual constriction of the ductus arteriosus may play an important role in successful cardiovascular adaptation in the premature infant. While it is clear that premature infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus often benefit from ductal closure, we question the practice of prophylactic early ductal closure.
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL NUCLEASE ACTION ON THYMIDINE 3′,5′-BIS(PHOSPHATE) (pdTp)

Abstract Computer modeling based on a molecular mechanics approach was used to explore the mechanism of staphylococcal nuclease action on the thymidine 3′-phosphate 5′-(p-nitrophenyl phosphate)-calcium ion substrate complex. The active-site residues Asp-21, Asp-40, Glu-43, Arg-35, Tyr-113, Lys-84, Arg-87, and Tyr-85 were included in the calculation. Initially the X-ray coordinates were used for the enzyme active-site residues with the inhibitor substrate, thymidine 3′,5′-bis(phosphate) (pdTp), in place. Subsequently, introduction of the p-nitrophenyl group and energy minimization gave the coordinates for the active substrate. In-line attack by hydroxide was simulated by approach opposite the phosphoryl oxygen atom attached to the p-nitrophenyl group (path 1) and by approach opposite the phosphoryl oxygen atom attached to thymidine (path 2). The former pathway is the route that leads to products observed in nonenzymatic cleavage. The latter pathway is the enzymatic route. Computer simulation of the hydroly...
UHF quartz MEMS oscillators for dynamics-based system enhancements

Processes for fabricating full wafers of UHF quartz MEMS oscillators bonded to Si have been developed at HRL over the past several years. These devices have shown state-of-the-art noise and stability along with extremely small vacuum packaged die size of less than 3 mm. An interesting by-product of the high frequency, small size, and wafer-scale fabrication of these devices is that several novel dynamics-based enhancements can be considered. These include the use of nonlinear dynamics for reducing oscillator phase noise at CMOS capable voltages and co-integration with more complex structures for sensing vibration and serving as a local timing reference for reducing thermally-induced sensor drifts. Several of these novel concepts made possible by wafer-scale MEMS-based processing will be reviewed.
Opioid peptide receptor studies. 3. Interaction of opioid peptides and other drugs with four subtypes of the κ2 receptor in guinea pig brain

Abstract Using guinea pig, rat, and human brain membranes depleted of μ and δ receptors by pretreatment with the site-directed acylating agents BIT (μ selective) and FIT (δ selective), previous studies from our laboratory resolved two subtypes of the κ 2 binding site, termed κ 2a and κ 2b . In more recent studies, we used 6β-[ 125 Iodo]-3,14-dihydroxy-17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5α-epoxymorphinan ([ 125 I]IOXY) to characterize multiple κ 2 binding sites in rat brain. The results indicated that [ 125 I]IOXY, like [ 3 H]bremazocine, selectively labels κ 2 binding sites in rat brain membranes pretreated with BIT and FIT. In the rat brain, using 100 n M [ d -Ala 2 -MePhe 4 ,Gly-ol 5 ]enkephalin to block [ 125 I]IOXY binding to the κ 2b site, we resolved two subtypes of the κ 2a binding site. In the present study we examined the binding of [ 125 I]IOXY to the κ 2 receptors of guinea pig brain. As observed in rat brain, [ 125 I]IOXY, under appropriate assay conditions, selectively labels κ 2 binding sites. Quantitative binding studies readily demonstrated the presence of κ 2a and κ 2b binding sites. The κ 2a binding sites were selectively assayed using 5 μ M [Leu 5 ]enkephalin to block [ 125 I]IOXY binding to the κ 2b sites, and κ 2b sites were selectively assayed using 5 μM (−)-(1 S ,2 S )-U50,488 to block [ 125 I]IOXY binding to the κ 2a sites. Under these conditions, two subtypes of the κ 2a site were resolved with high ( κ 2a-1 ) and low ( κ 2a-2 ) affinity for nor-BNI ( K i values = 0.88 and 476 n M ) and CI977 ( K i values = 17.5 and 95,098 n M ). Similarly, two subtypes of the κ 2b site were observed with high ( κ 2b-1 ) and low ( κ 2b-2 ) affinity for [ d -Ala 2 -MePhe 4 ,Gly-ol 5 ]enkephalin (DAMGO) ( K i values = 97 and 12,321 n M ) and α-neoendorphin ( K i values = 33 and 5308 n M ). Two-site models were also resolved in the presence of 100 μ M 5′-guanylyimidodiphosphate (GppNHp). We carried out detailed ligand selectivity analysis of the multiple κ 2 binding sites. Most test agents were either nonselective or selective for the κ 2a-1 site. Nalbuphine was moderately selective for the κ 2a-2 site. Similarly, although most test agents were either nonselective or selective for the κ 2b-1 site, butorphanol, and the delta antagonists naltrindole, naltriben, and 7-benzylidene-7-dehydronaltrexone were moderately selective for the κ 2b-2 site. Of the endogenous opioid peptides tested. BAM22P had the highest affinity for the κ 2b-2 site (31 n M ) and peptide E had the highest affinity for the κ 2a-a binding site (53 n M ). These data provide additional evidence for heterogeneity of the κ-opioid receptor and new targets for drug design, synthesis, and therapeutics.
The Ringelmann effect: Studies of group size and group performance

Abstract Ringelmann's classic finding—that the addition of co-workers in a rope-pulling task leads to a linear decrement in the individual group member's average performance—was reexamined experimentally. Study I attempted to replicate the effect, using groups of subjects ranging in size from 1 to 6. Performance dropped significantly as group size was increased from one individual to two or to three, but the addition of a fourth, fifth, or sixth member produced insignificant additional decrements; thus, the effect was not linear but curvilinear. Study II was designed to examine possible sources of performance loss, separating the factors of “coordination” and “motivation” loss ( Steiner, 1972 ). The possibility of intermember incoordination was eliminated, while motivation loss remained free to vary: Each experimental subject pulled alone, and in “groups” where he believed there were from one to five other members. Once again, individual performance declined significantly with the addition of the first and second perceived co-worker, but then leveled off for perceived group sizes three to six. Some implications are discussed.
Validation of a microtitre plate ELISA for measuring cortisol in fish and comparison of stress responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

A microtitre plate enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was validated for measuring serum cortisol in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). The ELISA uses a highly specific rabbit antibody raised against cortisol-3-carboxymethyloxime (CMO)/bovine serum albumin (BSA), and a conjugate of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) also linked to cortisol in the 3-position by a CMO bridge. The chromatogenic substrate is 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The standard curve was linear (logit/log) from the lower limit of sensitivity of the assay (2 pg/well = approx. 100 pg/ml serum) to approximately 1000 pg/well. The ELISA satisfied the strictest criteria of specificity, reproducibility (interassay coefficient of variation 98%). Changes in serum cortisol, glucose and chloride were measured in rainbow trout and lake trout following an acute 1-min handling stressor. In both species, cortisol levels rose rapidly to peaks of approximately 300 ng/ml by 1 h post-stress, and slowly returned to baseline over the next 48 h. Glucose levels rose faster in rainbow trout than in lake trout but reached similar peak levels of approximately 135 mg/dl at 6 h post-stress in both species. Chloride levels declined between 1 and 3 h in both species, although rainbow trout showed a greater and more prolonged hypochloremia than lake trout. Within 1 week following administration of the stressors, 19 rainbow trout ( ∼ 17% of the fish in the experiment) and 2 lake trout ( ∼ 2%) died. Most of the fish which died had been sampled when their serum chloride levels were low, suggesting that the survival rates of stocked trout may be increased if they are rehandled and stocked before or after this period of hypochloremia.