cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
β-Galactosidase: Isolation of and Antibodies to Incomplete Chains

Abstract A prematurely terminated polypeptide chain was purified to homogeneity from an Escherichia coli amber mutant strain containing the site of the mutation in the β-galactosidase structural gene. The polypeptide was highly active against anti-β-galactosidase, and had an amino acid composition similar to but not identical to that of β-galactosidase. The molecular weight of the reduced, carboxymethylated chain in 6 m guanidine hydrochloride was found to be 89,000, in excellent agreement with the size predicted from the position of the mutation. This result adds further support to the conclusion that the gene specifies the structure of a single polypeptide chain. Antisera were prepared against partially purified preparations of this polypeptide and a similar one, of molecular weight about 100,000, produced by another amber mutant. These sera had lower titers towards β-galactosidase than anti-β-galactosidase. In the double-diffusion test, they reacted towards extracts of nonsense and deletion mutant strains in a pattern similar to that previously observed with anti-β-galactosidase. A sensitive immunological test for cross-reacting protein was devised based on the inhibition by β-galactosidase of the reaction between such protein and antibodies prepared against incomplete chains.
Application of a polynomial spline in higher-order accurate viscous-flow computations

The quartic spline S(4,2) developed in this study overcomes some of the difficulties experienced by the authors in using spline S(5,3) or S(3,1) and provides fourth-order accurate results with relatively few grid points. In the course of this study, many more detailed numerical results have been generated than could be included in the present paper with its space limitations. These results are presently being assembled [12] and should provide detailed quantitative assessment of the various schemes examined for the model problems considered here. The accuracy of spline S(4,2) is comparable to, if not better than, that of the fourth-order box scheme and compact differencing scheme. This study suggests the use of spline S(4,2) as a potential means for fourth-order accurate solutions of Navier-Stokes equations.
Thermodynamically reversible and irreversible control on morphology of multiphase systems

Morphology and properties of polymer alloys can be controlled by thermodynamically reversible (structure frozen-in) or irreversible (structure locked-in) processes by simultaneously manipulating miscibility, mechanisms of phase separation, glass transitions, and cure kinetics of polymer systems. A new method of using Rayleigh-Brillouin laser light scattering experiments for constructing phase diagrams consisting of the binodal and spinodal curves has been developed. The Brillouin spectra can also be used to study cure kinetics of thermosetting materials. The miscibility of an epoxy/carboxyl-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer (CTBN) rubber system has been studied by this new method. It was found that this system has an upper consolute temperature. An increase in the acrylonitrile content of the CTBN rubber improves the miscibility and depresses the consolute temperature of this polymer system. The miscibility gap (the consolute temperature) can be shifted up and down by the presence of different curing agents. The morphology of this epoxy/CTBN system can be controlled by simultaneously manipulating the kinetic processes of phase separation and curing reactions.
Possible effects of diagenesis on the stable isotope composition of amino acids in carbonaceous meteorites

The initial report of indigenous, non-racemic protein amino acids (L-enantiomer excess) in the Murchison meteorite was based on the fact that only eight of the twenty amino acids characteristic of all life on Earth was present in this stone 1 . The absence of the other protein amino acids indicated that contamination subsequent to impact was highly unlikely. The development of new techniques for determining the stable isotope composition of individual amino acid enantiomers in the Murchison meteorite further documented the extraterrestrial origins of these compounds 2,3 . The stable isotope approach continues to be used to document the occurrence of an extraterrestrial L-enantiomer excess of protein amino acids in other carbonaceous meteorites 4 . It has been suggested that this L-enantiomer excess may result from aqueous reprocessing on meteorite parent bodies 4,5 . Preliminary results of simulation experiments are presented that are used to determine the extent to which the stable isotope compositions of amino acid constituents of carbonaceous meteorites may have been altered by these types of diagenetic processes subsequent to synthesis.
The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined

Selected by "The New York Times Book Review" as a Notable Book of the Year The author of "The New York Times" bestseller "The Stuff of Thought" offers a controversial history of violence. Faced with the ceaseless stream of news about war, crime, and terrorism, one could easily think we live in the most violent age ever seen. Yet as New York Times bestselling author Steven Pinker shows in this startling and engaging new work, just the opposite is true: violence has been diminishing for millennia and we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species's existence. For most of history, war, slavery, infanticide, child abuse, assassinations, pogroms, gruesome punishments, deadly quarrels, and genocide were ordinary features of life. But today, Pinker shows (with the help of more than a hundred graphs and maps) all these forms of violence have dwindled and are widely condemned. How has this happened? This groundbreaking book continues Pinker's exploration of the essence of human nature, mixing psychology and history to provide a remarkable picture of an increasingly nonviolent world. The key, he explains, is to understand our intrinsic motives- the inner demons that incline us toward violence and the better angels that steer us away-and how changing circumstances have allowed our better angels to prevail. Exploding fatalist myths about humankind's inherent violence and the curse of modernity, this ambitious and provocative book is sure to be hotly debated in living rooms and the Pentagon alike, and will challenge and change the way we think about our society.
Planning our Future Libraries: Blueprints for 2025

This book provides eight librarians the opportunity to discuss their vision and predictions for libraries into the 21st century. Their essays are divided into four major sections: Chapters 1 and 2 ...
DNA sequence and expression of the 36-kilodalton outer membrane protein gene of Brucella abortus.

Abstract The cloning of the gene(s) encoding a 36-kilodalton (kDa) cell envelope protein of Brucella abortus has been previously described (T. A. Ficht, S. W. Bearden, B. A. Sowa, and L. G. Adams, Infect, Immun. 56:2036-2046, 1988). In an attempt to define the nature of the previously described duplication at this locus we have sequenced 3,500 base pairs of genomic DNA encompassing this region. The duplication represented two similar open reading frames which shared more than 85% homology at the nucleotide level but differed primarily because of the absence of 108 nucleotides from one of the two gene copies. These two genes were read from opposite strands and potentially encoded proteins which are 96% homologous. The predicted gene products were identical over the first 100 amino acids, including 22-amino-acid-long signal sequences. The amino acid composition of the predicted proteins was similar to that obtained for the Brucella porin isolated by Verstreate et al. (D. R. Verstreate, M. T. Creasy, N. T. Caveney, C. L. Baldwin, M. W. Blab, and A. J. Winter, Infect. Immun. 35:979-989, 1982) and presumably represented two copies of the porin gene, tentatively identified as omp 2a (silent) and omp 2b (expressed). The homology between the two genes extended to and included Shine-Dalgarno sequences 7 base pairs upstream from the ATG start codons. Homology at the 3' ends extended only as far as the termination codon, but both genes had putative rho-independent transcription termination sites. Localization of the promoters proved more difficult, since the canonical procaryotic sequences could not be identified in the region upstream of either gene. Promoter activity was demonstrated by ligation to a promoterless lacZ gene in pMC1871. However, only one active promoter could be identified by using this system. A 36-kDa protein was synthesized in E. coli with the promoter in the native orientation and was identical in size to the protein produced in laboratory-grown B. abortus. When the promoter-containing fragment was inverted, a 33-kDa protein was expressed. These results were consistent with the predicted sizes based on the nucleotide sequences of the open reading frames in omp 2b and omp 2a. Whether this locus contains one active and one silent or cryptic porin gene, or two active Brucella porin genes expressed under different environmental conditions, is discussed.
Orientation-awareness and wireless systems

This work explores the potential benefits of orientation awareness in wireless systems in the context of source localization. Precise and reliable inertial measurement units have become a standard feature on almost all smartphones available today, and they are becoming increasingly popular for other devices as well. The measurements provided by such sensors can be employed as side information in a number of application scenarios, including inference. Indeed, orientation information combined with the asymmetry of antenna radiation patterns can lead to substantial performance gains in localization algorithms. This article focuses on source localization based on received signal strength. Improvements are assessed from both a theoretical and an experimental perspective. Reported findings offer supporting evidence to the claim that orientation-awareness can improve performance in a significant manner.
Plant modifications: Maintain your mechanical integrity

Upon initial review of the proposed subject, Plant Modifications and Mechanical Integrity, there is a bit of a disappointment, a lot of the subject matter can easily be placed under the heading “Common Sense.” However, after reviewing successes and failures in this area one finds that common sense may not be as common as one would like. While the successes are much more frequent than the failures, the failures tend to overwhelm the impact of the successes.
The acid mucopolysaccharides of mammalian skin.

SUMMARY.— Specimens of skin were assayed by the method of Mier and Wood (1969) for hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate. No major variations in the concentration of these substances were found to occur in different mammalian species, different sites of the body, or between animals of different ages. In general, the normal ranges were quite narrow; the widest variation occurred in human skin. Most of the acid mucopoly-saccharides were shown to be located in the dermis, the concentration in the epidermis being very low. These results have been discussed in the light of the existing literature on acid mucopolysaccharides.
Photonic-crystal distributed-feedback lasers for the midwave infrared

Theoretical modelling indicates that photonic-crystal distributed-feedback (PCDFB) lasers should be capable of providing near-diffraction-limited, spectrally pure sources of midwave-infrared radiation. The authors have studied both 2nd-order and 1st-order optically pumped PCDFB lasers with ‘W’ active regions. Whereas it was not possible to optimise the 2nd-order grating due to the limitations of optical lithography, the 1st-order grating was fabricated using electron-beam lithography with a nearly optimum set of coupling coefficients. The resonant wavelength of the 1st-order grating remained somewhat longer than the gain peak at all temperatures up to the maximum for laser operation. In spite of the substantial detuning, the beam quality improved by a factor of five over angled-grating (α‐DFB) lasers fabricated from similar material, and was slightly better than that for the 2nd-order grating at stripe widths <175 µm. Although the devices were operated in the pulsed mode, a considerable narrowing of the multi-mode spectral linewidth was also realised.
Translocation of PKC isoforms in bovine aortic smooth muscle cells exposed to strain.

Our laboratory has previously reported that the exposure of smooth muscle cells (SMC) to the cyclic strain results in significant stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity by translocating the enzyme from the cytosol to the particulate fraction. We now sought to examine the strain-induced translocation of individual PKC isoforms in SMC. Confluent bovine aortic SMC grown on collagen type I-coated plates were exposed to cyclic strain for up to 100 s at average 10% strain with 60 cycles/min. Immunoblotting analysis demonstrates that SMC express PKC-alpha, -beta and -zeta in both cytosolic and particulate fractions. Especially, PKC-alpha and -zeta were predominantly expressed in the cytosolic fraction. However, cyclic strain significantly (P < 0.05) increased PKC-alpha and -zeta in the particulate fraction and decreased in the cytosolic fraction. Thus, the cyclic strain-mediated stimulation of PKC activity in SMC may be due to the translocation of PKC-alpha and -zeta from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction. These results demonstrate that mechanical deformation causes rapid translocation of PKC isoforms, which may initiate a cascade of proliferation responses of SMC since NF-kappaB, which is involved in the cellular proliferation has been known to be activated by these PKC isoforms.
Impacts of Satellite Power System technology

Abstract In the Satellite Power System (SPS) considered here, energy from the sun is collected by an array, 5 km × 10.5 km in area, located in geostationary orbit. The array contains either silicon or gallium aluminum arsenide photovoltaic cells whose output is transformed to 2.45 GHz microwaves. These are beamed to earth to a 10 km × 15 km rectifying antenna (rectenna) which rectifies the microwaves and interfaces the power with utility power lines. Each unit will produce 5 million kW of electrical power (5 GWe). Sixty such units are planned at the rate of two per year over 30 yr. This paper deals with an assessment of both the environmental and societal aspects of an SPS. Under environmental aspects, attention is devoted to the health and ecological effects of both microwave radiation and other effects. The interaction of microwaves with the atmosphere is examined particularly as it affects communication. Nonelectromagnetic radiation effects such as noise and increased pollution are also considered. Societal aspects are divided into four general catagories: 1. (1) resources, which includes materials required, availability of suitable land, and energy used to construct an SPS; 2. (2) institutional, which deals with State and other regulations, financial management, and utility integration; 3. (3) international aspects including organizational structures; and 4. (4) societal aspects including factors dealing with social acceptance and the need for communications with the younger people.
Personalizing information gathering for mobile database clients

Mobile agents are ideal for mobile computing environments because of their ability to support asynchronous communication and flexible query processing since tasks can be delegated to mobile agents when a mobile client is disconnected. This paper explores the use of mobile agents in personalizing information gathering for mobile database clients. Personalized data take the form of materialized views and personalization is provided in the form of view maintenance options. These options, expressed using an extended SQL Create View command, offer a finer grain of control and balance between data availability and currency, the amount of wireless communication and the cost of maintaining consistency. The paper defines recomputational consistency and introduces new levels of materialized view consistency to better characterize the mobile client view currency customizations.
A minicomputer approach to consultation-liaison data basing: Pedagog-admin-clinfo

Abstract Minicomputer systems have been designed for researchers who have no prior computer experience and, therefore, require no computer training, that is, programing knowledge. Such systems allow immediate access to the data, their retrieval, reduction, and analysis, and the retention of direct control over the data base by the researcher. In addition, CLINFO offers a wide range of calculations and statistical procedures. The three-dimensional, time-oriented data-base format of CLINFO allows for a longitudinal study of a particular variable, and its repeated measure over time in the same patient. This system has been adapted for use in the consultation-liaison setting to provide pedagogic, research, and administrative functions from a field-tested data base.
Synthesis, Luminescence Properties, and Explosives Sensing with 1,1-Tetraphenylsilole- and 1,1-Silafluorene-vinylene Polymers

The syntheses, spectroscopic characterizations, and fluorescence quenching efficiencies of polymers and copolymers containing tetraphenylsilole- or silafluorene-vinylene repeat units are reported. These materials were prepared by catalytic hydrosilylation reactions between appropriate monomeric metallole alkynes and hydrides. Trimeric model compounds methyl(tetraphenyl)silole-vinylene trimer (1), methyl(tetraphenyl)silole-silafluorene-vinylene cotrimer (2), and methylsilafluorene-vinylene trimer (3) were synthesized to provide detailed structural and spectroscopic characteristics of the polymer backbone and to assess the extent of delocalization in the luminescent excited state. Poly(tetraphenylsilole-vinylene) (4), poly(tetraphenylsilole-silafluorene-vinylene) (5), and poly(silafluorene-vinylene) (6) maintain a regio-regular trans-vinylene Si−C backbone with possible ground state σ*−π and excited state σ*−π* conjugation through the vinylene bridge between metallole units. Fluorescence spectra of the poly...
Effect of tip functionalization on transport through vertically oriented carbon nanotube membranes.

Ionic flux through a composite membrane structure, containing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes crossing a polystyrene matrix film, was studied as a function of chemical end groups at the entrance to carbon nanotubes' (CNTs) cores. Plasma oxidation during the membrane fabrication process introduced carboxylic acid groups on the CNTs' tips that were modified using carbodiimide mediated coupling between the carboxylic acid and an accessible amine groups of the functional molecule. Functionalization molecules included straight chain alkanes, anionically charged dye molecules, and an aliphatic amine elongated by polypeptide spacers. Functionalization was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, and areal functional density was estimated by transmission electron microscopy studies of thiol terminated sites decorated by nanocrystalline gold. The transport through the membrane of two different sized but equally charged molecules (ruthenium bipyridine [Ru-(bipy)32+] and methyl viologen [MV2+]) was quantified in a U-tube...
Advocating for English Learners: Selected Essays by CRAWFORD, JAMES

The article reviews the book "Advocating for English Learners: Selected Essays," by James Crawford.
Regularity vs genericity in the perception of collinearity

The perception of collinearity is investigated, with the focus on the minimal case of three dots. As suggested previously, from the standpoint of probabilistic inference, the observer must classify each dot triplet as having arisen either from a one-dimensional curvilinear process or from a two-dimensional patch. The normative distributions of triplets arising from these two classes are unavailable to the observer, and are in fact somewhat counterintuitive. Hence in order to classify triplets, the observer invents distributions for each of the two opposed types, 'regular' (collinear) triplets and 'generic' (ie not regular) triplets. The collinear prototype is centered at 0 degree (ie perfectly straight), whereas the generic prototype, contrary to the normative statistics, is centered at 120 degrees away from straight-apparently because this is the point most distant in triplet space from straight and thus creates the maximum possible contrast between the two prototypes. By default, these two processes are assumed to be equiprobable in the environment. An experiment designed to investigate how subjects' judgments are affected by conspicuous environmental deviations from this assumption is reported. The results suggest that observers react by elevating or depressing the expected probability of the generic prototype relative to the regular one, leaving the prototype structure otherwise intact.
Partial cross-resistance of cultured murine leukemia vincristine-resistant P388 cells to 4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin ethylidene-beta-D-glucoside.

SummaryCultured P388 cells derived from vincristine-resistant cell populations developed in vivo (P388/VCR) retain their resistance to vincristine, although the degree of resistance of the P388/VCR cell populations appears to be a function of concentration and time of exposure. The P388/VCR cell population is sensitive to 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin ethylidene-β - D - glucoside (VP 16-213) but a degree of cross-resistance to VP 16-213 can be demonstrated. The degree of cross-resistance to VP 16-213 also appears to be a function of concentration and time of exposure.We thank Dr. H. E. Skipper, Dr. F. M. Schabel, Jr., and Dr. R. W. Brockman for their helpful discussions and encouragement; Mr. John A. Burdeshaw for statistical analysis of the data; Dr. W. R. Laster and Mrs. Mary Trader for providing the leukemia P388 and vincristine-resistant P388 tumors; and Mrs. Carol S. Eldridge for excellent technical assistance.
Factors Affecting the Apparent Activity and Heat Sensitivity of Xanthine Oxidase in Milk

Summary The xanthine oxidase activity, expressed as µ .1 O 2 /ml/hr, was measured by the Warburg manometrie technique. The activity in fresh milk increased as a result of storing at 4C, heating to 70C for 5min, homogenization, and incubation with commercial enzymes of proteolytic and lipolytic nature. These increases were accompanied by increases of activity in the skimmilk phase, with a corresponding decrease of activity in the fat phase. The changes in apparent activity were attributed to the release of aggregates of enzyme microsomes from the fat globule membrane. The heat sensitivity of xanthine oxidase in milk increased on storage and on homogenization. The increase in heat sensitivity is believed to be due to a solubilization of the enzyme microsomes. In this case, a disintegration of the microsome seems to be involved, whereas increases in apparent activity seem to involve a simple dispersal of microsomal aggregates.
United States legislation and the polar oceans

The United States has important national interests vested in both the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans. Thus, in recent decades the United States has progressively codified its national commitment to conserve and manage both these marine regions and their resources and to protect them from activities that might produce adverse impacts. The U.S. legislation passed since the 1960s selectively affects both polar regions and supports major American policy objectives there: to maintain the Arctic and Antarctic as areas of international cooperation for peaceful purposes; to satisfy economic needs, especially hydrocarbon, mineral, and living resources; to protect opportunities for scientific research; to protect the marine environment; and to conserve living resources in the circumpolar seas. Future trends suggest a shift in U.S. policy attention to the Arctic. Accordingly, new U.S. legislation will be needed to regulate increased activities in the polar north.
Simultaneous position and attitude control without linear and angular velocity feedback using dual quaternions

In this paper, we suggest a new representation for the combined translational and rotational dynamic equations of motion of a rigid body in terms of dual quaternions. We show that with this representation it is relatively straightforward to extend existing attitude controllers based on quaternions to combined position and attitude controllers based on dual quaternions. We show this by developing setpoint nonlinear controllers for the position and attitude of a rigid body with and without linear and angular velocity feedback based on existing attitude-only controllers with and without angular velocity feedback. The combined position and attitude velocity-free controller exploits the passivity of the rigid body dynamics and can be used when no linear and angular velocity measurements are available.
Model Calculation of the q -Dependent Dielectric Function of Some Zinc-Blende Semiconductors

A generalization of the Penn-model dielectric function containing two energy gaps is used to calculate $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(q)$ for a number of semiconductors of the zinc-blende family. The results are in reasonable agreement with those of studies based on complete-zone integration. We show the importance of including the details of the band structure in discussing $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(0)$.
Perspectives from a Weather Modification Experiment

This article provides some views on the statistical design and analysis of weather modification experiments. Perspectives were developed from experience with analyses of the Santa Barbara Phase I experiment summarized in Section 2, Randomization analvses are reported and compared with previously published parametric analyses. The parametric significance levels of tests for a cloud seeding effect agree well with the significance levels of the new corresponding randomization tests, These results, along with similar results of others, suggest that parametric analyses may be used as approximations to randomization analyses in exploratory analyses or reanalyses of weather modification experimental data.
Localization of βv tubulin in the cochlea and cultured cells with a novel monoclonal antibody

Tubulin, the dimeric structural protein of microtubules, is a heterodimer of alpha and beta subunits; both alpha and beta exist as numerous isotypes encoded by different genes. In vertebrates the sequence differences among the beta(I), beta(II), beta(III), beta(IV) and beta(V) isotypes are highly conserved in evolution, implying that the isotypes may have functional significance. Isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies have been useful in determining the cellular and sub-cellular distributions and possible functions of the beta(I), beta(II), beta(III), and beta(IV) isotypes; however, little is known about the beta(V) isotype. We here report the creation and purification of a monoclonal antibody (SHM.12G11) specific for beta(V). The antibody was designed to be specific for the C-terminal sequence EEEINE, which is unique to rodent and chicken beta(V). The antibody was found to bind specifically to the C-terminal peptide EEEINE, and does not cross-react with the carboxy-termini of either alpha-tubulin or the other beta-tubulin isotypes. However, the antibody also binds to the peptide EEEVNE, but not to the peptide EEEIDG, corresponding respectively to the C-terminal peptides of bovine and human beta(V). Immunofluorescence analysis indicates that beta(V) is found in microtubules of both the interphase network and the mitotic spindle. In gerbils, beta(V) also occurs in the cochlea where it is found largely in the specialized cells that are unique in containing bundled microtubules with 15 protofilaments.
SU‐E‐T‐400: Evaluation of a Pencil Beam Algorithm and Pencil Beam Redefinition Algorithm for Bolus Electron Conformal Therapy

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the pencil beam algorithm's (PBA) and pencil beam redefinition algorithm's (PBRA) calculated electron conformal therapy (ECT) dose distributions by comparing with phantom measured dose distributions. Method: The planning target volumes (PTV) from a parotid and a chest wall patient were modified to fit the CTimage set of a cylindrical polystyrene phantom. A bolus ECT plan for both PTV sets was developed using .decimal p.d software to design a custom bolus, with the distal bolus surface fitting to the phantom and the proximal bolus surface conforming the 90% isodose surface to the distal PTV edge. PBA and PBRA dose distributions were calculated using the Pinnacle treatment planning system and in‐house software, respectively. In‐phantom film measurements were taken for each plan in five transverse slices and one sagittal slice. Accuracy of both the PBA and PBRA calculations was tested by comparing the measured 2D film data to corresponding planar dose files from both the PBA and PBRA treatment plans, respectively. Passing criteria of 5% dose difference or 2mm distance to agreement were applied to each pixel (0.5mm pixel size) to quantify the accuracy of each dose calculation. Results: Comparison between measured and PBA calculated pixels for the post‐mastectomy chest wall and parotid cases for all 6 measured planes resulted in 93.3% and 95.3% pass rates, respectively. Using the same criteria, the PBRA had pass rates of 96.6% and 95.6%, respectively. In a phantom with no heterogeneities, the PBA and PBRA are both expected to have excellent agreement. Conclusions: The PBA and PBRA produced highly accurate calculations for bolus ECT dose distributions. As expected, the PBRA is slightly more accurate than the PBA, however this difference may not have any clinical significance unless significant heterogeneities are present, currently under study. Support: This work was supported in part by a research grant from .decimal, Inc.
Novel Autism Subtype-Dependent Genetic Variants Are Revealed by Quantitative Trait and Subphenotype Association Analyses of Published GWAS Data

The heterogeneity of symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) has presented a significant challenge to genetic analyses. Even when associations with genetic variants have been identified, it has been difficult to associate them with a specific trait or characteristic of autism. Here, we report that quantitative trait analyses of ASD symptoms combined with case-control association analyses using distinct ASD subphenotypes identified on the basis of symptomatic profiles result in the identification of highly significant associations with 18 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The symptom categories included deficits in language usage, non-verbal communication, social development, and play skills, as well as insistence on sameness or ritualistic behaviors. Ten of the trait-associated SNPs, or quantitative trait loci (QTL), were associated with more than one subtype, providing partial replication of the identified QTL. Notably, none of the novel SNPs is located within an exonic region, suggesting that these hereditary components of ASDs are more likely related to gene regulatory processes (or gene expression) than to structural or functional changes in gene products. Seven of the QTL reside within intergenic chromosomal regions associated with rare copy number variants that have been previously reported in autistic samples. Pathway analyses of the genes associated with the QTL identified in this study implicate neurological functions and disorders associated with autism pathophysiology. This study underscores the advantage of incorporating both quantitative traits as well as subphenotypes into large-scale genome-wide analyses of complex disorders.
A Comparison of Some Continuity Corrections for the Chi-Squared Test on 2×2 Tables

Abstract This article considers the two-sided test of independence in a 2 × 2 contingency table. The chi-squared approximation to the exact significance of Pearson's X 2 test is compared with four approximation methods adjusting for continuity. Computations were carried out for nearly 150,000 fourfold tables. It was found that both the uncorrected chi-squared test and the Yates correction may give misleading outcomes even for moderate sample sizes and expected values, whereas the other three methods provide closer approximations. Although fixed marginal totals are assumed, these corrections may also be applied to tables with random marginal totals, provided one is interested in the exact conditional significance.
Association between secondary flow in models of the aorto-celiac junction and subendothelial macrophages in the normal rabbit

In order to examine the association between arterial fluid dynamics and the distribution of subendothelial macrophages in the normal rabbit aorta, steady and pulsatile particle flow visualization was performed in a geometrically realistic model of the rabbit aorto-celiac junction region. Over a range of aorto-celiac steady flow ratios, particle pathlines along the upstream lateral aortic walls curved to enter the celiac orifice, while two asymmetric regions of reversing spiral secondary flow originated along the downstream lateral portions of the orifice flow divider. These regions increased in size as either the Reynolds number or flow into the celiac artery increased. In pulsatile flow studies, particles along the lateral aortic walls near the celiac orifice began to spiral into the branch during peak systole. During systolic deceleration, the size of this spiral flow region increased as particles reversed direction to enter the celiac orifice. This contrasted with flow patterns directly upstream and downstream of the orifice, which remained unidirectional throughout this period even along the distal lip of the orifice. The highest frequency of subendothelial white blood cells in the normal rabbit aorta was associated with regions where secondary flow patterns occurred, and where the orientation of endothelial cell nuclei deviated from the major direction of aortic flow. Secondary flow patterns may aid the accumulation of monocytes and macrophages about the lateral regions of the celiac artery flow divider by transporting monocytes to the walls, allowing them time to attach to the endothelial cells, or by stimulating the endothelial cells to express leukocyte adhesion molecules. These same regions are associated with increased endothelial permeability to low density lipoprotein and, under hypercholesterolemic conditions, lesion origination.
Gibbs energy minimization in gas + liquid + solid systems

An algorithm is described for the calculation of equilibrium compositions of multiple highly nonideal liquid and solid solutions, as well as pure stoichiometric phases, coexisting with a mixture of ideal gas species at fixed temperature and pressure. The total Gibbs free energy of the system is approximated as a quadratic function of the compositions of the gas phase and stable condensed phases, in an orthogonal basis set of pure elements. Only changes in thermal energy and energy related to pressure-volume work are considered. The total Gibbs energy is minimized directly by use of both the slope and the curvature of the Gibbs energy surface with respect to the gas and condensed phase compositions in the basis elements. The algorithm described has been implemented in a computer code for the calculation of condensation sequences for cosmic nebular gases enriched in dust. Machine, compiler and library requirements for performing these calculations in the C programming language are compared. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 247–256, 2000
QCM response to solvated, tethered macromolecules.

When the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is operated in contact with solution and used to detect inertia increases caused by macromolecules binding to its surface, resonance frequency shifts are reported in the literature to be greater than, less than, and the same as an identical macromolecular mass would cause as a dry layer. A previous report of wet and dry M13 DNA giving the same, linear frequency versus mass response is examined. The M13 data are shown to follow the reciprocal of the square root of mass, not the reported linear relationship. New experiments on RNA duplexes oscillated in solution are reported. A lossy polymer layer is placed between the QCM and RNA. When changes in density, viscosity, and included water are eliminated, the response remains linear for a constant adlayer thickness. The expectation that response per unit mass should decrease with distance from the QCM surface is demonstrated. Total decoupling of mass lying beyond the acoustic overlayer is also demonstrated. The present...
The cultural context of child development

Monocultural studies of development are inherently predisposed toward nativist interpretations of results.
Sound and pattern in artificial fluency: Spectrographic evidence

This study was designed to yield objective information relative to Wingate's hypothesis that common influences are operative in conditions widely reported to induce fluency in stutterers (Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1969, 12, 677; 1970, 13, 861; Stuttering: Theory and Treatment, New York: Irvington-Wiley, 1976). Spectrographic tracings of the same phrase uttered under four ameliorative conditions and, as usually spoken, were obtained from four stutterers and four normal speakers. Comparisons among these tracings support the inference that the reduction in stuttering typically found in these conditions reflects certain changes in manner of speaking, principally in the pattern of intonation.
Compensating for eye tracker camera movement

An algorithm was developed to improve prediction of eye position from video-based eye tracker data. Eye trackers that determine eye position relying on images of pupil and corneal reflection positions typically make poor differentiation between changes in eye position and movements of the camera relative to the subject's head. The common method employed by video-based eye trackers to determine eye position involves calculation of the vector difference between the center of the pupil and the center of the corneal reflection under the assumption that the centers of the pupil and the corneal reflection change in unison when the camera moves with respect to the head. This assumption was tested and is shown to increase prediction error. Also, predicting the corneal reflection center is inherently less precise than that of the pupil due to the reflection's small size. Typical approaches thus generate eye positions that can only be as robust as the relatively noisy corneal reflection data. An algorithm has been developed to more effectively account for camera movements with respect to the head as well as reduce the noise in the final eye position prediction. This algorithm was tested and is shown to be particularly robust during the common situation when sharp eye movements occur intermixed with smooth head-to-camera changes.
Design and optimization of a capillary electrophoretic mobility shift assay involving trp repressor-DNA complexes

An investigation of DNA-protein interactions by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser fluorometric detection is performed that combines the rapid and minimal sample consumption methods of CE with the selective separation influence of mobility shift assays. An inspection of the well characterized interaction between the trp repressor of Escherichia coli and the trp operator (DNA) is the basis of the assay. The use of fluorescently tagged operator not only lends itself to laser-induced fluorescence detection but also precludes the use of radiolabeled detection. It is demonstrated that composition and pH of the running buffer are critical for maximized efficiency and resolution of operator from the repressor-operator complex. Quantitative studies showed reaction of repressor with operator resulted in the diminishing of free operator signal and the simultaneous creation of the repressor-operator peak that is well resolved from the free operator. Also examined was the ability to perform qualitative studies involving non-specific interactions between the operator and a complex protein sample. It is shown that the specificity of operator for repressor can be used to selectively separate the repressor from a complex sample that includes non-specific proteins.
Renormalization of Aubry-Mather Cantor sets

Letf be a two-dimensional area-preserving twist map. Given an irrational rotation number ω in the rotation interval off, there is an invariant recurrent set on whichf preserves the circular ordering and which has rotation number ω. For large nonlinearity, the parameter regime we are interested in, this set is a Cantor set. We show that well-ordered (minimizing) sets with rotation numbers close to ω are exponentially close to the Cantor set under study. The detailed configuration of well-ordered (minimizing) sets is universal and depends on one parameter, namely the Lyapunov coefficient of the Cantor set. There is a quantitative correspondence between this and similar behavior in the noninvertible circle map.
Separation of cardiac conduction system and atrial activities by spatial regression

Abstract Multiple channel magnetocardiography is potentially useful for the study of the cardiac conduction system. However, normal atrial repolarization occurs simultaneously and obscures the interpretation of the net signal. Magnetocardiographic data in four normal subjects at rest and mild exercise were found to exhibit high spatial correlation during atrial activation. Based on measured channel-to-channel covariances, the atrial repolarization signals as measured in channels in the null zone of conduction system activity were used to estimate atrial repolarization in all channels. A linear prediction method was used which was based on the “kriging” estimator of geostatistical theory. Due to high spatial correlations in the limited thoracic region studied, predictions based on a single null channel were found to be adequate. Removal of the atrial component facilitates the beat-by-beat estimation of conduction system changes during rest and exercise using the mutiple channel biomagnetometer.
Infelicitous stereochemical nomenclature

Misuse of current stereochemical terms is discussed, including terms that should be avoided altogether and replaced by other, standard ones. The reasons for using the proper terms and avoiding the infelicitous ones are pointed out. Chirality 9:428–430, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dysphagia following stroke

Unfortunately, stroke is an extremely common disease. Around 100 000 people suffer a first-ever stroke each year. Stroke is the third commonest cause of death in the western world and is a major cause of long-term disability. Many patients admitted acutely to hospital after stroke will have a transient or persistent problem with their swallowing. Impaired swallowing results in a failure to maintain nutritional status and hydration, a break-down of vital organs, increasing susceptibility to infection and an increased likelihood of dying.
Abandoned Mine Drainage in the Swatara Creek Basin, Southern Anthracite Coalfield, Pennsylvania, USA: 1. Stream Water Quality Trends Coinciding with the Return of Fish

Acidic mine drainage (AMD) from legacy anthracite mines has contaminated Swatara Creek in eastern Pennsylvania. Intermittently collected base-flow data for 1959–1986 indicate that fish were absent immediately downstream from the mined area where pH ranged from 3.5 to 7.2 and concentrations of sulfate, dissolved iron, and dissolved aluminum were as high as 250, 2.0, and 4.7 mg/L, respectively. However, in the 1990s, fish returned to upper Swatara Creek, coinciding with the implementation of AMD treatment (limestone drains, limestone diversion wells, limestone sand, constructed wetlands) in the watershed. During 1996–2006, as many as 25 species of fish were identified in the reach downstream from the mined area, with base-flow pH from 5.8 to 7.6 and concentrations of sulfate, dissolved iron, and dissolved aluminum as high as 120, 1.2, and 0.43 mg/L, respectively. Several of the fish taxa are intolerant of pollution and low pH, such as river chub (Nocomis micropogon) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). Cold-water species such as brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and warm-water species such as rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) varied in predominance depending on stream flow and stream temperature. Storm flow data for 1996–2007 indicated pH, alkalinity, and sulfate concentrations decreased as the stream flow and associated storm-runoff component increased, whereas iron and other metal concentrations were poorly correlated with stream flow because of hysteresis effects (greater metal concentrations during rising stage than falling stage). Prior to 1999, pH < 5.0 was recorded during several storm events; however, since the implementation of AMD treatments, pH has been maintained near neutral. Flow-adjusted trends for 1997–2006 indicated significant increases in calcium; decreases in hydrogen ion, dissolved aluminum, dissolved and total manganese, and total iron; and no change in sulfate or dissolved iron in Swatara Creek immediately downstream from the mined area. The increased pH and calcium from limestone in treatment systems can be important for mitigating toxic effects of dissolved metals. Thus, treatment of AMD during the 1990s improved pH buffering, reduced metals transport, and helped to decrease metals toxicity to fish.
Study of Organic and Inorganic Binders on Strength of Iron Oxide Pellets

Bentonite is a predominant binder used in iron ore pelletization. However, the presence of a high content of silica and alumina in bentonite is considered undesirable for ironmaking operations. The objective of this study was to identify the alternatives of bentonite for iron ore pelletization. To achieve this goal, different types of organic and inorganic binders were utilized to produce iron oxide pellets. The quality of these iron oxide pellets was compared with pellets made using bentonite. All pellets were tested for physical strength at different stages of pelletization to determine their ability to survive during shipping and handling. The results show that organic binders such as lactose monohydrate, hemicellulose, and sodium lignosulfonate can provide sufficient strength to indurated pellets.
Binding and Processing of 125I-ACTH by Isolated Rat Splenic Lymphocytes

Abstract The effect of incubation temperature and ligand competition was tested for 125 I-ACTH binding to isolated rat lymphocytes. αMSH but not Agouti-like peptide was an effective competitive inhibitor for cell surface binding at 4°C. Cells incubated with 125 I-ACTH at 37°C rapidly associated ligand for 10 min and then gradually lost the radioactivity with time. Cells incubated with 125 I-ACTH at 4°C accumulated ligand to only about half the maximal amount when compared to cells incubated at 37°C for 10 min. Temperatures below 20°C and toxins that block lysosomal degradation blocked the loss of cell-associated radioactivity. These results suggest the lymphocyte ACTH receptor is the Melanocortin 5 receptor and the receptor is internalized by endocytosis to deliver ligand to the lysosome.
An analytic investigation into the behavior of Kepler’s equation1

Kepler’s Equation is solved over the entire range of elliptic and parabolic motion. Global solution accuracy is maintained by defining four M-e plane solution sub-domains. Three computational methods are concatenated in each sub-domain to solve the problem. Perturbation solutions obtain the basic solutions in each sub-domain. Accelerated series convergence is achieved by transforming the perturbation solutions with Pade approximations. A variable-order Newton extrapolation method is used to further transform the Pade results to yield thirteen digits of precision over the entire range of elliptic and parabolic motion. Only four trigonometric evaluations are required for half of the M-e plane. The remaining half of the M-e plane, including the parabolic special case, only requires a cube root and four trigonometric evaluations. Along the M∼0 and e∼0.7 boundary, a closed-form solution is obtained for a pair of complex-valued roots that possess inflection points that limit the radius of convergence of series approximations for Kepler’s equation. The proposed algorithm effectively provides a closed-form solution for Kepler’s equation, in the sense that the solution accuracy exceeds any projected operational mission need.