cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Spooky actions at a distance": physics, psi, and distant healing.

Over decades, consciousness research has accumulated evidence of the real and measureable existence of "spooky actions at a distance"—modes of telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, and the like. More recently scientists have begun rigorous study of the effects of distant healing intention and prayer vis-a-vis nonhuman living systems and patients in clinical trials. A barrier to taking such work seriously may be the belief that it is fundamentally incompatible with the scientific world view. This article suggests that it need not be; contemporary physics has generated a series of paradigms that can be used to make sense of, interpret, and explore "psi" and distant healing. Four such models are discussed, two drawn from relativity theory and two from quantum mechanics. First is the energetic transmission model, presuming the effects of conscious intention to be mediated by an as-yetunknown energy signal. Second is the model of path facilitation. As gravity, according to general relativity, "warps" space–tim...
Ultrastructural, protein composition, and antigenic comparison of psittacine beak and feather disease virus purified from four genera of psittacine birds

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) virus, was purified from diseased tissues of a lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), a black palm cockatoo (Probosiger aterrimus), a red-lored Amazon parrot (Amazona autumnalis), and a peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis). The histopathology of diseased feathers and follicular epithelium from the different species was compared; basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were identified in the follicular epithelium and intracytoplasmic globular inclusions were observed within macrophages located in the feather pulp from the four species. Psittacine beak and feather disease virus antigen was specifically detected by colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy. The different preparations of purified virions displayed an icosahedral symmetry, were non-enveloped, and had a mean diameter that varied from 12 to 15 nm when negatively stained. Two major viral-associated proteins with approximate molecular weights of 26 and 23 kilodaltons (kd) were consis...
Solubilization of a Membrane Protein by Combinatorial Supercharging

Hydrophobic and aggregation-prone, membrane proteins often prove too insoluble for conventional in vitro biochemical studies. To engineer soluble variants of human caveolin-1, a phage-displayed lib...
Multi-Agent Societies for Collaborative Interaction

The application of a multi-agent architecture to the design and operation of automated process management systems is proving to be a fruitful method of facilitating human-system collaboration. The agent architecture we are developing is intended to be applied in environments where humans and automated systems jointly perform information intensive tasks, and is based on an organization of multiple agents, where both human and software agents are integrated members in groups akin to human societies. Important features of our architecture include an organization based on social structures, a user interface model based on a collaborative interaction metaphors, and a situated action paradigm for agent behavior.
Partially broken global supersymmetry and the superstring

We study the partial spontaneous breaking of a global supersymmetry algebra. A formalism developed by Volkov for nonlinearly realized spacetime symmetries is very useful. The case analyzed in detail is two-dimensional (2,2) supersymmetry with a central charge spontaneously broken to (0,2). This algebra, which is realized in supersymmetric Nielsen-Olesen strings, leads to the Green-Schwarz superstring action.
Do Diversity Reputation Signals Increase Share Value

This analysis contributes to the ongoing scholarly debate regarding the relationship between firms’ efforts to promote diversity and financial performance. Most research contributing to this debate focuses on specific efforts of firms, such as progressive human resource policies and leadership personnel changes, on firm-level outcomes. Much less research focuses on the impact of reputational signals on performance. However, we argue that reputation signals may provide an even stronger test of the impact of diversity efforts on performance. We analyze the impact of diversity awards, which recognize companies at the forefront of progressive human resource policies, on share value. We use event study methodology to test hypotheses derived from signaling theory to predict investors’ reaction to the announcement of diversity awards. Overall, we find that diversity award recipients are rewarded for these efforts by a significant increase in share price. Our research lends support to the business case for diversity by demonstrating that investors interpret diversity reputation signals as contributing to firms’ financial value. Further implications of these findings for corporate decision makers, policy makers, and scholars are discussed.
Implication of a tyrosyl residue at the active site of mitochondrial l-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase

Abstract The tyrosyl residues of porcine mitochondrial l -malate:NAD + oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.37) have been studied spectrophotometrically and using selective chemical modification with iodine and tetranitromethane. CNBr hydrolysis and Sephadex G-25, G-50 and G-75 chromatography produced a peptide which contained two tyrosines in the native and the nitrated molecules when the nitration took place in an NAD + -oxaloacetate solution. Nitration in the absence of the substrates caused the tyrosyl residues to disappear. Spectrophotometric titrations indicate that one of the 10 tyrosyl residues in mitochondrial l -malate: NAD + oxidoreductase titrate abnormally, while iodination experiments suggest that two fast-reacting tyrosines are not involved in activity. Nitration and iodination experiments, in conjunction with CNBr-mapping, suggest that two of the four nitrated tyrosyl residues are necessary for biological action. Titration of the sulfhydryl groups with 4,4-bis-dimethylaminodiphenyl carbinol before and after nitration indicate that none of the cysteinyl residues were oxidized by the tetranitromethane, thus ruling out the loss of enzyme activity due to the thiol oxidation.
Performance of global–local hybrid ensemble versus boosting and bagging ensembles

This study compares the classification performance of a hybrid ensemble, which is called the global–local hybrid ensemble that employs both local and global learners against data manipulation ensembles including bagging and boosting variants. A comprehensive simulation study is performed on 46 UCI machine learning repository data sets using prediction accuracy and SAR performance metrics and along with rigorous statistical significance tests. Simulation results for comparison of classification performances indicate that global–local hybrid ensemble outperforms or ties with bagging and boosting ensemble variants in all cases. This suggests that the global–local ensemble has a more robust performance profile since its performance is less sensitive to variation with respect to the problem domain, or equivalently the data sets. This performance robustness is realized at the expense of increased complexity of the global–local ensemble since at least two types of learners, e.g. one global and another one local, must be trained. A complementary diversity analysis of global–local hybrid ensemble and base learners used for bagging and boosting ensembles on select data sets in the classifier projection space provides both an explanation and support for the performance related findings of this study.
Collisional energy transfer as a probe of ergodicity in molecular vibrational motions

Abstract Collisional energy transfer in a model atom⋯triatom system is studied at energies above and below the ergodic threshold. No important changes in energy transfer behaviour are observed as the ergodic threshold is passed using a Henon—Heiles intramolecular potential.
Tumors of the anterior skull base

A variety of histologic tumor types are present in the anterior skull base. Primary tumors of this area may be derived from the bone, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, dura, cranial nerves, pituitary gland and brain. Symptoms are caused mostly through mass effect but, if the tumor becomes aggressive, also through invasion. Selection of surgical approaches to the anterior skull base is based upon balancing risk reduction with maximizing extent of resection. Here we review a spectrum of neoplastic entities found in the anterior skull base in adults and discuss clinical and radiographic presentation, treatment options, and outcomes. Surgical resection remains the mainstay in treatment of these tumors, particularly in the hands of experienced surgeons exercising proper patient and case selection.
Induction of Polarity in Fucus Furcatus by a Localized Concentration of Hydrogen Ions.

SummaryHydrogen ions in suitable concentration, when applied to a localized region of the Fucus egg in sea water, induce formation of the rhizoid protuberance. The polarity and the developmental pattern of the whole embryo are determined.
Curcuminoids limit neutrophil-mediated reperfusion injury in experimental stroke by targeting the endothelium.

Objective We sought to test the hypothesis that turmeric-derived curcuminoids limit reperfusion brain injury in an experimental model of stroke via blockade of early microvascular inflammation during reperfusion. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats subjected to MCAO/R were treated with turmeric-derived curcuminoids (vs. vehicle) 1 hour prior to reperfusion (300 mg/kg ip). Neutrophil adhesion to the cerebral microcirculation and measures of neutrophil and endothelial activation were assayed during early reperfusion (0–4 hours); cerebral infarct size, edema, and neurological function were assessed at 24 hours. Curcuminoid effects on TNFα-stimulated human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMVEC) were assessed. Results Early during reperfusion following MCAO, curcuminoid treatment decreased neutrophil rolling and adhesion to the cerebrovascular endothelium by 76% and 67% and prevented >50% of the fall in shear rate. The increased number and activation state (CD11b and ROS) of neutrophils were unchanged by curcuminoid treatment, while increased cerebral expression of TNFα and ICAM-1, a marker of endothelial activation, were blocked by >30%. Curcuminoids inhibited NF-κB activation and subsequent ICAM-1 gene expression in HBMVEC. Conclusion Turmeric-derived curcuminoids limit reperfusion injury in stroke by preventing neutrophil adhesion to the cerebrovascular microcirculation and improving shear rate by targeting the endothelium.
Coordinated Resource Scheduling in High-performance Optical Grids

This paper investigates coordinated resource scheduling algorithms for high- performance optical grids. We introduce a simple scheduling algorithm and study its impact on grid performance.
Enzyme‐catalyzed transesterification of vinyl esters on cellulose solids

Enzyme-catalyzed transesterification of several cellulose solids in organic media have been investigated. Several protease enzymes were made soluble in organic media through ion-paired enzyme–surfactant complexes. Subtilisin Carsberg was found to be catalytically active in the transesterification of cellulose with vinyl propionate and vinyl acrylate in anhydrous pyridine. The ester carbonyl groups in acylated cellulose derivatives were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surfaces of these cellulose derivatives became hydrophobic as demonstrated by increased water-contact angles. The enzyme-catalyzed transesterification was confirmed to regioselectively target the primary hydroxyl group of cellulose by reactions on specifically substituted cellulose. The cellulose esters from enzyme-catalyzed transesterification could be hydrolyzed partially by the same enzyme in aqueous media, and were thus biodegradable. Surface grafting of cellulose acrylate was demonstrated using azobisisobutyronitrile-initiated polymerization of acrylonitrile in dimethylformamide. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-g-cellulose shows a different thermal behavior from cellulose, homopolymer PAN, and PAN/cellulose blends. The grafted PAN on PAN-g-cellulose at a 16% grafting add-on is incapable of cyclization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1931–1939, 2001
Requisite role for complement C5 and the C5a receptor in granulomatous response to mycobacterial glycolipid trehalose 6,6′-dimycolate

The development of pulmonary granulomatous lesions during mycobacterial infection is a complex phenomenon, in part caused by responses elicited towards the surface glycolipid trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM; cord factor). The molecular mechanisms underlying granuloma formation following challenge with TDM are not yet completely understood. The present study defines pathologic differences in acute response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis TDM in C57BL/6 mice and mice lacking the C5a receptor (C5aR-/-). Mice were intravenously injected with TDM prepared in water-in-oil-in-water emulsion and examined for histologic response and changes in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in lung tissue. Control C5a receptor-sufficient mice demonstrated a granulomatous response that peaked between days 4 and 7. Increased production of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and CXC chemokine KC (CXCL1) correlated with development of granulomas, along with modest change in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In contrast, the C5aR-/- mice revealed markedly exacerbated inflammatory response. The receptor-deficient mice also demonstrated a lack of coherent granulomatous response, with severe oedema present and instances of lymphocytic cuffing around pulmonary vessels. Lung weight index was increased in the C5aR-/- mice, correlating with increased MIP-1alpha, KC, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha over that identified in the congenic C5aR-sufficient controls. Correlate experiments performed in C5-deficient (B10.D2-H2d H2-T18c Hco/oSnJ) mice revealed similar results, leading to the conclusion that C5 plays a significant role in mediation of chemotactic and activation events that are the basis for maturation of granulomatous responses to TDM.
Triphenylphosphine oxide cocrystallization of a tris(diazaphosphole)molybdenum complex

Abstract Reaction of 1,2-(NH2)2C6H4 with MeP(NEt2)2 yields the new 1,3,2-di-azaphosphole C6H4(NH)2PMe (1). 1 with cycloheptatriene·Mo(CO)3 yields fac-[C6H4(NH)2PMe]3Mo(CO)3 (2), which with Ph3PO from MeCN solution forms the cocrystallate [C6H4(NH)2PMe]3Mo(CO)3·Ph3PO·MeCN (3). New compounds are characterized by spectral data; an X-ray analysis of 3 confirms its structure.
Quantitative sensory and motor measures detect change over time and correlate with walking speed in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Impairments of sensation, strength, and walking are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). The relationship among these abnormalities and how they change over time remains unclear. Objective To determine the extent that quantitative lower extremity sensory and motor measures detect abnormalities over time, relate to global disability, and to walking speed in individuals with MS. Methods This prospective, longitudinal analysis evaluated 136 MS subjects. Measures included measures of leg strength, sensation, the Expanded Disability Status Scale(EDSS) and timed 25-foot walk test (T25FW). Mixed effects regression models were used. Results Our cohort׳s mean age is 44.3±10.8 years (mean±SD), EDSS score range 0–7.5, 66% were females, and follow-up time was 2.1±1.2 years. Strength significantly changed over time; the RRMS group demonstrated the greatest changes in ADF (3.3lbs/yr) while the PPMS group showed significant HF changes (−2.1lbs/yr). Walking speed was affected most by HF, especially in the weakest individuals (HF p =0.001). Likewise T25FW changed by 0.19s for each 1lb change in ADF ( p Conclusion Quantitative measures detected changes in sensation and strength over time, despite a stable respective functional systems scores of the EDSS. Quantitative measurement tools may improve the sensitivity of disability measures in MS and further investigation of these tools as outcomes in future clinical trials of rehabilitative and neuroreparative interventions is warranted.
Metabolic Responses in Biofilms

The majority of bacteria in natural habitats exist in association with solid surfaces, such as microscopic particles in aquatic environments, clay or sand particles in soils, or on the surfaces of animal or plant tissues. Despite this, most in vitro studies have focused on growth of bacteria in liquid cultures, usually maintained in a homogeneous state. Recently, there has been an explosion in interest in bacterial associations with many types of surfaces, and the problems which they may pose in a wide variety of situations. Many authors have stated that metabolic responses of bacteria in biofilms differ markedly from their planktonic counterparts (reviewed by Costerton et al. 6 ). The aim of this review is to consider the mechanisms which may lead to such differences, and to describe some of these ‘biofilm-specific’ responses; some of the difficulties which may be encountered in studying biofilm bacteria will also be discussed.
Ultrastructural study of the latent effects of methyl mercury on the nervous system after prenatal exposure.

Tissue samples from the cerebellum were obtained for electron microscopy from mice which were prenatally exposed to methyl mercury. Lysosomal accumulation was observed in both the Purkinje neurons and granule cells. Osmiophilic lipoid material was evident within these lysosomes. Giant-sized lysosomes were also found occasionally. Irregular tubular structures resembling smooth endoplasmic reticulum were also found within many neurites. Some of these tubular structures appeared to be hypertrophied and contained some electron-opaque materials. Segmental incomplete myelination and abnormal synaptic terminals were also observed in the tissue samples. Such defects may contribute to the behavioral deviation and mental deficiencies of these animals.
DNA sequence organization in the genomes of five marine invertebrates.

The arrangement of repetitive and non-repetitive sequence was studied in the genomic DNA of the oyster (Crassostrea virginica), the surf clam (Spisula solidissima), the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), a nemertean worm (Cerebratulus lacteus) and a jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). Except for the jellyfish these animals belong to the protostomial branch of animal evolution, for which little information regarding DNA sequence organization has previously been available. The reassociation kinetics of short (250–300 nucleotide) and long (2,000–3,000 nucleotide) DNA fragments was studied by the hydroxyapatite method. It was shown that in each case a major fraction of the DNA consists of single copy sequences less than about 3,000 nucleotides in length, interspersed with short repetitive sequences. The lengths of the repetitive sequences were estimated by optical hyperchromicity and S1 nuclease measurements made on renaturation products. All the genomes studied include a prominent fraction of interspersed repetitive sequences about 300 nucleotides in length, as well as longer repetitive sequence regions.
Enhanced crop discrimination using the mid-IR (1.55-1.75μm)

Abstract Improvements in crop discrimination can be realized by using mid-IR bands (1.55–1.75 μm and 2.08–2.35 μm) which are sensitive to canopy moisture content. Analyses of data from two growing seasons in Webster County, Iowa clearly indicate that corn and soybeans are highly separable in the mid-IR from early season through harvest. This contrasts sharply with visible and near-IR bands where corn and soybeans are confused throughout much of the growing season. The mid-IR temporal reflectance behavior appears to result from differences between C 4 monocot and C 3 dicot internal leaf structure. If this hypothesis holds, mid-IR observations should improve discrimination in other instances where similar differences in internal leaf structure are present.
Formation and growth of binary aerosol in a laminar coaxial jet

Abstract An experimental and theoretical investigation has been carried out on the dependence of binary oil aerosol dispersity on the physicochemical properties of the parent species and the dynamics of the nucleation and growth processes occurring in a laminar coaxial jet. It was found that as the more volatile component in a binary oil vapor mixture increases in concentration, the total number concentration of the resultant aerosol decreases, the mean particle diameter increases, and the variance of the aerosol number distribution decreases. These experimental observations have been confirmed through development of an approximate theory comprising binary nucleation and growth. The composition distribution of the aerosol produced from an 80% dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-20% diethylhexyl sebacate (DEHS) vapor mixture condensing in the laminar coaxial jet system was investigated. It was found that the smaller particles in the distribution were enriched in the less volatile component, DEHS; this observation was confirmed qualitatively by the developed theory. Anomalous results found at small concentrations of oleic acid (OA) in dioctyl phthalate (DOP) are explained with the hypothesis that oleic acid dimer acid was formed as the nozzle temperature in the laminar coaxial jet system was increased.
Multistate Folding of the Villin Headpiece Domain

The villin headpiece (HP67) is a 67 residue, monomeric protein derived from the C-terminal domain of villin. Wild-type HP67 (WT HP67) is the smallest fragment of villin that retains strong in vitro actin-binding activity. WT HP67 is made up of two subdomains, which form a tightly packed interface. The C-terminal subdomain of WT HP67, denoted HP35, is rich in helical structure, folds in isolation, and has been widely used as a model system for folding studies. In contrast, very little is known about the folding of the intact villin headpiece domain. Here, NMR, CD and H/2H amide exchange measurements are used to follow the pH, thermal and urea-induced unfolding of WT HP67 and a mutant (HP67 H41Y) in which a buried conserved histidine in the N-terminal subdomain, His41, has been mutated to Tyr. Although most small proteins display two-state equilibrium unfolding, the results presented here demonstrate that unfolding of the villin headpiece is a multistate process. The presence of a folded N-terminal subdomain is shown to stabilize the C-terminal subdomain, increasing the midpoints of the thermal and urea-induced unfolding transitions and increasing protection factors for H/2H exchange. Histidine 41 has been shown to act as a pH-dependent switch in wild-type HP67: the N-terminal subdomain is unfolded when His41 is protonated, while the C-terminal subdomain remains folded irrespective of the protonation state of His41. Mutation of His41 to Tyr eliminates the segmental pH-dependent unfolding of the headpiece. The mutation stabilizes both domains, but folding is still multistate, indicating that His41 is not solely responsible for the unusual equilibrium unfolding behavior of villin headpiece domain.
Designing Macroeconomic Frameworks: A Positive Analysis of Monetary and Fiscal Delegation*

This paper proposes a simple model illustrating the potential benefits of approaching the design of a macroeconomic framework conducive to low inflation in both its monetary and fiscal dimensions rather than relying exclusively on the merits of central bank independence and other monetary commitment devices such as currency boards or dollarization. The reason is that monetary delegation alone merely ‘relocates’ the timeinconsistency problem stemming from the government’s incentive to address structural output shortfall with a macroeconomic stimulus. This paper also provides a new argument explaining why fiscal deficit rules may be less effective than instrument-specific rules.
Principal type schemes for functional programs with overloading and subtyping

Abstract We show how the Hindley/Milner polymorphic type system can be extended to incorporate overloading and subtyping. Our approach is to attach constraints to quantified types in order to restrict the allowed instantiations of type variables. We present an algorithm for inferring principal types and prove its soundness and completeness. We find that it is necessary in practice to simplify the inferred types, and we describe techniques for type simplification that involve shape unification, strongly connected components, transitive reduction, and the monotonicities of type formulas.
Performance comparison of a neural network with human observers on a visual target detection task

An experiment is described which compares the performance of a neural network to human performance on a visual task which consists of detecting a target in a background image of correlated noise. A three-layer, feed-forward, multi-layer perceptron is trained to indicate the presence or absence of a target in images also presented to human observers. The basis for the comparison between the network and the human observers is the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Network performance is comparable to human performance for this particular task.
Intervertebral disc degeneration. Summary of an AAOS/NIH/ORS workshop, September 2005.

Degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc occur as a natural part of aging. What the initiating events are, what influences progression, and to what degree the degenerative process by itself is a source of pain remain unclear. From a clinical perspective, disc degeneration is considered one cause of chronic pain. Disc degeneration is also the source of important secondary clinical problems such as disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis. In September 2005, a group of clinical, basic-science, and biomechanics experts gathered for a workshop on degenerative disc disease. The workshop was sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the National Institutes of Health, the Orthopaedic Research Society, and private industry. The presentations from the workshop, along with a research agenda outlined at the sessions, are published in the supplement to the current issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. This article is a condensed report of the workshop. All references appear in the supplement. The workshop began with an overview session moderated by Gunnar B. J. Andersson, MD, PhD. Tapio Videman, MD, presented information on the epidemiology and genetics of disc degeneration. Sally Roberts, PhD, reviewed the histologic and pathologic changes accompanying disc degeneration, while Victor Haughton, MD, talked about the rapidly emerging imaging methods. Finally, Jeffrey Katz, MD, MSc, reviewed the socioeconomic impact of this commonly presenting process. Over the past decade, a great shift has occurred in the understanding of the etiology of disc degeneration from an epidemiologic perspective. Studies on twins have suggested that heredity has a dominant role in disc degeneration, while physical loading and environmental factors play a lesser role. Several gene forms have been associated with disc degeneration. It appears likely that disc degeneration can be characterized as a common, oligogenic, multifactorial genetic condition. Dr. Videman suggested that a standardized …
Effect of deformation on electrical properties of carbon fibers used in gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

In proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the stacks of anode, cathode, and membrane layers including gas diffusion layer (GDL) are held together by a compressive force applied through a bipolar plate. In this work, we studied the electrical properties of a carbon fiber of a GDL under deformation using four-point measurement methods inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). We found out that through bending deformation the electrical resistivity of carbon fibers will be reduced. The drop in resistance during deformation may be the result of increasing conduction channels in the carbon fiber and parallel transport through them. Our finding offers a new insight on the effect of deformation on tuning the electrical properties of GDL materials.
Moral Status and Human Enhancement

The terms 'moral status' and 'moral standing' are sometimes used interchangeably, but in the analysis that follows I will distinguish them. I will say that a being has moral standing if it counts morally, in its own right. For Bentham, all beings that are sentient count morally in their own right. For Kant, only persons, beings with the capacity for practical rationality, have moral standing. On both views, moral standing is not a comparative notion. Moral status, in contrast, is a comparative notion. Two beings can both have moral standing, but one may be of a higher moral status. The idea that different beings with moral standing have different moral statuses is common to otherwise divergent moral theories and is implicit in much pre-theoretical moral thinking as well. A being's moral status can make a difference as to whether its behavior is subject to moral evaluation, how it ought to be treated, whether it has rights, and perhaps what kinds of rights it has. In moral views that include a plurality of moral statuses, it is human beings, or at least human beings who are persons, that are thought to occupy the highest status. A few contemporary moral theorists have begun to develop nuanced views on moral status.1 At the same time, concerns about moral status
Spatial Patterns in Catchment Hydrology: Observations and Modelling

Edited by R. GRAYSON and G. BLOSCHL. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. Hardback, 404 p. $95.00. ISBN 0-521-63316-8. The struggle to develop better models of hydrologic processes has been a continuing area of intense research for the last several decades. One promising avenue of watershed
Assessment of Adsorption and Adhesion of Proteins to Polystyrene Microwells by Sequential Enzyme-Linked-Immunosorbent Assay Analysis

Originally developed as a method for estimating the solid-phase concentration of an adsorbed protein, sequential enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis (P. A. Underwood and J. G. Steele (1991) J. Immunol. Methods 142, 83-94) is also useful for assessing other aspects of protein-surface interactions without radioactively labeled reagents. The method provides a way to compare protein adsorption on various microwell surfaces and to track adhesion of the protein throughout an assay's wash and incubation steps. In cases where adsorption complies with Langmuir-type binding and protein desorption is minimal, sequential ELISA data can be analyzed with a mathematical model to quantitatively estimate the microwell's protein-binding capacity. Even for protein-surface interactions where the mathematical model is not appropriate, characteristics of sequential ELISA binding data qualitatively differentiate between initial adsorption with subsequent desorption and poor initial adsorption of the protein. Using this method, we analyzed the binding of three proteins (rabbit immunoglobulin G, bovine serum albumin, and horse spleen ferritin) to four types of polystyrene microwell surfaces (Immulons 1, 2, 3, and 4). In addition, we examined differences in protein adhesion to the four surfaces when Tween 20 was omitted from the assay's wash buffer or when fewer washes were used.
Translation Elongation Factor 1A Mutants with Altered Actin Bundling Activity Show Reduced Aminoacyl-tRNA Binding and Alter Initiation via eIF2α Phosphorylation

Apart from its canonical function in translation elongation, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) has been shown to interact with the actin cytoskeleton. Amino acid substitutions in eEF1A that reduce its ability to bind and bundle actin in vitro cause improper actin organization in vivo and reduce total translation. Initial in vivo analysis indicated the reduced translation was through initiation. The mutant strains exhibit increased levels of phosphorylated initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) dependent on the presence of the general control nonderepressible 2 (Gcn2p) protein kinase. Gcn2p causes down-regulation of total protein synthesis at initiation in response to increases in deacylated tRNA levels in the cell. Increased levels of eIF2α phosphorylation are not due to a general reduction in translation elongation as eEF2 and eEF3 mutants do not exhibit this effect. Deletion of GCN2 from the eEF1A actin bundling mutant strains revealed a second defect in translation. The eEF1A actin-bundling proteins exhibit changes in their elongation activity at the level of aminoacyl-tRNA binding in vitro. These findings implicate eEF1A in a feedback mechanism for regulating translation at initiation.
Judicial Policy-Making and Matai Title Succession Disputes in American Samoa

(1982). Judicial Policy-Making and Matai Title Succession Disputes in American Samoa. Political Science: Vol. 34, Land and Politics in the American Pacific, pp. 100-110.
Vascular rhexis: loss of integrity of coronary vasculature in mice subjected to myocardial infarction:

We previously observed gross hemorrhage in plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) knockout (PKO) mice with induced myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesized that it reflected degradation ...
Sum-rules in resonance calculations with complex coordinates

Simple sum-rules that arise in connection with infinitesimal transformations have been set up and studied with respect to their use in assessing the quality of resonance calculations for cases in which no independent information on the metastable state is available.
Anatomy Education and the Observational-Embodied Look

Based on observations and interviews collected during a yearlong ethnography of two anatomy laboratory courses (an undergraduate and medical/dental course) at a large Midwestern univer- sity, this article argues that students learn anatomy through the formation of an observational-embodied look. All of the visual texts and material objects of the lab—from atlas illustrations, to photographs, to 3D models, to human bodies—are involved in this look that takes the form of anatomical demonstration and dissection. The student of anatomy, then, brings together observation (the act of looking), visual evidence (what one sees in the body), haptic expe- rience (the act of touching), and anatomical-medical knowledge (what one labels the body) to identity as anatomy those objects on display. Through an interrogation of and reflection on the bodies of the course, the participants must learn to recognize and appreciate the descriptive and relational values of anatomical evidence, and in the process develop the habitus of anatomists. Drawing from the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Pierre Bourdieu, and Her- bert Dreyfus, the author seeks to both uncover how students learn anatomy as well as articulate a theory of embodied learning.
Regulation of purinergic signaling in biliary epithelial cells by exocytosis of SLC17A9-dependent ATP-enriched vesicles

ATP in bile is a potent secretogogue, stimulating biliary epithelial cell (BEC) secretion through binding apical purinergic receptors. In response to mechanosensitive stimuli, BECs release ATP into bile, although the cellular basis of ATP release is unknown. The aims of this study in human and mouse BECs were to determine whether ATP release occurs via exocytosis of ATP-enriched vesicles and to elucidate the potential role of the vesicular nucleotide transporter SLC17A9 in purinergic signaling. Dynamic, multiscale, live cell imaging (confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and a luminescence detection system with a high sensitivity charge-coupled device camera) was utilized to detect vesicular ATP release from cell populations, single cells, and the submembrane space of a single cell. In response to increases in cell volume, BECs release ATP, which was dependent on intact microtubules and vesicular trafficking pathways. ATP release occurred as stochastic point source bursts of luminescence consistent with exocytic events. Parallel studies identified ATP-enriched vesicles ranging in size from 0.4 to 1 μm that underwent fusion and release in response to increases in cell volume in a protein kinase C-dependent manner. Present in all models, SLC17A9 contributed to ATP vesicle formation and regulated ATP release. The findings are consistent with the existence of an SLC17A9-dependent ATP-enriched vesicular pool in biliary epithelium that undergoes regulated exocytosis to initiate purinergic signaling.
Coherence in an Optically Trapped Fermi Gas

We demonstrate forced evaporative cooling of two-state mixtures of lithium fermions in a stable optical trap. This system offers exciting prospects for attaining extremely long hyperfine coherence lifetimes at high density, and for studying multiple-particle coherence in Fermi superfluids.
Standardization of Milk Using Cold Ultrafiltration Retentates for the Manufacture of Parmesan Cheese

Abstract The effects of using cold ultrafiltered (UF) retentates (both whole and skim milk) on the coagulation, yield, composition, and ripening of Parmesan cheese were investigated. Milks for cheese making were made by blending cold UF retentates with partially skimmed milk to obtain blends with 14.2% solids and a casein:fat ratio of 1.1. Cutting times, as selected by the cheese-maker, were ∼15 and ∼20 min for experimental and control milks, respectively. Storage modulus values at cutting were similar, but yield stress values were significantly higher in UF retentate standardized milks. Cheese yields were significantly higher in UF retentate standardized milks (∼12%) compared with control milk (cream removed) (∼7 to 8%). Significantly higher protein recoveries were obtained in cheeses manufactured using cold UF retentates. There were no differences in the pH and moisture contents of the cheeses prior to brining, and there was no residual lactose or galactose left in the cheeses. Using UF retentates resulted in a significant reduction in whey volume as well as a higher proportion of protein in the solids of the whey. Proteolysis, free fatty acids, and sensory properties of the cheeses were similar. The use of milk concentrated by cold UF is a promising way of improving the yield of Parmesan cheese without compromising cheese quality. The question remaining to be answered by the cheesemaker is whether it is economical to do so.
In vitro multimerization of human von Willebrand factor from its subunits.

Summary. von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a multimeric glycoprotein composed of subunits having an estimated molecular mass of 220–240 kDa which are linked by disulphide bonds. Intact, unreduced vWF, has ristocetin cofactor activity, which is lacking in the reduced subunits. To determine whether reduced vWF subunits are capable of being re-multimerized vWF was purified, reduced and then subsequently dialysed in the absence of reducing agents. (1) Purified vWF, (2) reduced vWF, and (3) reduced and dialysed vWF were compared for size composition and for ristocetin co-factor activities. SDS-PAGE showed that the purified vWF failed to enter the gels, while the reduced vWF migrated to a position consistent with a mass of approximately 240 kDa. Reduced and subsequently dialysed vWF subunits multimerized into larger forms, most of which did not enter the gels. No residual 240 kDa material was detectable following remultimerization. vWF multimer analysis confirmed the loss of monomer in the reduced and dialysed material and the appearance of new multimers with a size range smaller than the native material. Reduced vWF showed no detectable ristocetin co-factor activity, while the re-multimerized material regained some activity. Thus, we deduce that vWF can spontaneously re-multimerize from its reduced subunits and regain a small but measurable quantity of ristocetin co-factor activity.
MRI Manifestations of Pancreatic Disease, Especially Pancreatitis, in the Pediatric Population

OBJECTIVE. Although pancreatitis is an uncommon entity in children, the pediatric population can develop serious and long-lasting complications, including pseudocyst, necrosis, hemorrhage, vascular...
Historical datasets on Africa and the African Atlantic

Abstract To facilitate study of long-term economic change in African context, this research note lists and describes major existing datasets on Atlantic slave trade, general commerce, national accounts, and demography.
Is There a Dark Side to Endowment Growth

When the effect of endowment growth on the behavior of university and college donors is explored, some evidence of donor adverse reactions to endowment growth is found, particularly among certain classes of donors.
Experimental realization of plasmonic filters for multispectral and dual-polarization optical detection

We report the design and implementation of a new class of plasmonic filters that are both wavelength and polarization selective. The plasmonic filter consists of a five-layer metallic photonic crystal structure and operates inside the photonic bandgap regime. We show that by manipulating the middle layer geometry alone, it is possible to tune the Fabry-Perot resonance over a broad spectral range (λ=1.25to1.63 μm) and in a monolithic fashion. Furthermore, we show that the resonance has a definite polarization character that is determined by the orientation of the first layer grating. The plasmonic filter may be integrated with an array of photodetectors for high-throughput spectral and polarimetric imaging applications.
A Bootstrapping Method for Learning Semantic Lexicons using Extraction Pattern Contexts

This paper describes a bootstrapping algorithm called Basilisk that learns high-quality semantic lexicons for multiple categories. Basilisk begins with an unannotated corpus and seed words for each semantic category, which are then bootstrapped to learn new words for each category. Basilisk hypothesizes the semantic class of a word based on collective information over a large body of extraction pattern contexts. We evaluate Basilisk on six semantic categories. The semantic lexicons produced by Basilisk have higher precision than those produced by previous techniques, with several categories showing substantial improvement.
The Story About Propositions

Talking even about rather ordinary circumstances appears to implicate directly certain metaphysically loaded identifications. For example, if Dr. Gustav Lauben is a doctor then it seems to follow that he has the property of being a doctor; just as if he is injured, he has the property (or the characteristic) of being injured. Moreover, if Frege should come to believe that the good doctor is injured then there is something that he believes—to wit, something apparently denoted by the expression ‘that the good doctor is injured’, something philosophers standardly call a proposition. And, of course, if the good doctor is injured and Frege believes that he is, then what Frege believes—the proposition that the good doctor is injured—is true, in which case, it seems, the proposition has the property of truth. All of this is, as we said, routine, and it is the job of the metaphysician (especially the metaphysician of meaning) to explain all of this (or to explain it away). While we take the issues just canvassed all to belong to the same family, our focus in this paper will be on propositions. The notion of a proposition plays a central role in philosophical theorizing about language and the mind. This is no wonder, since it appears to provide considerable theoretical advantage in the form of a single kind of entity playing a wide range of roles. Propositions are held to be the sharable objects of belief and other intentional attitudes, the contents of these thought-states and of assertions and other speech acts, the common meanings of utterances from different languages, and the fundamental bearers of truth, necessity, aprioricity, and other
Race, ancestry, and genes: implications for defining disease risk.

▪ Abstract Geneticists are interested in finding genes associated with disease. Because of widespread health disparities, race is a variable that is often said to be relevant in this context. The idea is that members of a preconceived “race” share common ancestry that may include genetic risk factors. Human variation has been shaped by the long-term processes of population history, and population samples that reflect that history carry statistical information about shared genetic variation or “ancestry.” But race is an elusive concept and a term difficult even to define rigorously. Unfortunately, these problems are neither new nor related to recent genetic knowledge. Race is also one of the most politically charged subjects in American life because its associated sociocultural component has notoriously led to categorical treatment that has been misleading and politically misused. There are ways in which the concept of race (whether or not the term is used) can be a legitimate tool in the search for diseas...
Braking and propulsive impulses increase with speed during accelerated and decelerated walking

The ability to accelerate and decelerate is important for daily activities and likely more demanding than maintaining a steady-state walking speed. Walking speed is modulated by anterior-posterior (AP) ground reaction force (GRF) impulses. The purpose of this study was to investigate AP impulses across a wide range of speeds during accelerated and decelerated walking. Kinematic and GRF data were collected from 10 healthy subjects walking on an instrumented treadmill. Subjects completed trials at steady-state speeds and at four rates of acceleration and deceleration across a speed range of 0-1.8 m/s. Mixed regression models were generated to predict AP impulses, step length and frequency from speed, and joint moment impulses from AP impulses during non-steady-state walking. Braking and propulsive impulses were positively related to speed. The braking impulse had a greater relationship with speed than the propulsive impulse, suggesting that subjects modulate the braking impulse more than the propulsive impulse to change speed. Hip and knee extensor, and ankle plantarflexor moment impulses were positively related to the braking impulse, and knee flexor and ankle plantarflexor moment impulses were positively related to the propulsive impulse. Step length and frequency increased with speed and were near the subjects' preferred combination at steady-state speeds, at which metabolic cost is minimized in nondisabled walking. Thus, these variables may be modulated to minimize metabolic cost while accelerating and decelerating. The outcomes of this work provide the foundation to investigate motor coordination in pathological subjects in response to the increased task demands of non-steady-state walking.
The Mechanism for Genetic Recombination in the Avian Retroviruses

The purpose of this brief review is to discuss in the context of recent experimental data, the possible mechanisms involved in generating the high frequency of recombinant virus observed after coinfection of cells with two genetically different avian retroviruses.
Closing the gender gap in medical journal publishing.

The percentages of women who have published in academic medical journals over the last 3 decades continues to grow. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.