cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sociosexual behaviors of female rats during and after chronic treatment with the sympatholytic agent guanethidine.

Abstract Ovariectomized female rats were chronically administered saline or guanethidine sulfate, a drug that blocks adrenergic neurons and, when chronically administered, results in peripheral sympathectomy. The female were periodically injected with estradiol benzoate and progesterone and tested for sexual behaviors before, during and after the six-week period of daily guanethidine or saline injections. Tests for copulatory behavior included tests for lordotic responsiveness to manual stimulation and tests of sociosexual behaviors displayed by the females in a complex testing environment. The complex environment permitted the test females to control their coital contacts with sexually active males and their interactions with sexually inactive males and ovariectomized female rats. Guanethidine treatment did not alter lordotic responsiveness to manual stimulation but did reduce the frequency of copulatory acts engaged in by the females in the complex environment. During the first test in the complex environment following the start of drug injections, the guanethidine-treated females, in comparison to saline-treated females, displayed a lower frequency of lordotic behavior during coital contacts. The changes in behavior produced by the sympathetic drug, guanethidine, implicate the autonomic nervous system in the regulation of copulatory pacing in the female rat.
Reliability of a new hand-held device for the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide.

Background: Given the importance of airway inflammation in asthma, there has been an effort to incorporate inflammatory markers into its management. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation; however, the use of the available FeNO analyzer is limited by several factors including its cost and lack of transportability. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a new hand-held FeNO measuring device (NIOX MINO) to the current clinical standard – the chemiluminescence FeNO analyzer (NIOX). Methods: Subjects 6 years and older presenting to an allergy and asthma clinic underwent FeNO evaluation by NIOX and each of three NIOX MINOs. The mean of two acceptable measurements from the NIOX and the first approved measurement from each NIOX MINO were used for analysis. Results: One hundred ten patients aged 6–86 years completed the study. Intrasubject FeNO levels obtained by each of the three NIOX MINOs revealed no significant difference between the measurements (P = 0.59). There was a very strong correlation between FeNO measurements by NIOX and by NIOX MINO (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). The mean intrasubject FeNO difference between NIOX and NIOX MINO was −0.5 p.p.b. which was not statistically significantly different from zero (P = 0.21). Conclusions: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements by the NIOX MINO showed a strong correlation and a high degree of agreement with the current standard stationary device. The NIOX MINO may be reliably used in clinical practice.
Characterization of postreplication repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and effects of rad6, rad18, rev3 and rad52 mutations.

Postreplication repair of nuclear DNA was examined in an excision defective haploid strain of yeast lacking mitochondrial DNA (ral ρ0). The size of the DNA synthesized in cells exposed to various fluences of ultraviolet light (UV) corresponds approximately to the average interdimer distance in the parental DNA. Upon further incubation of cells following exposure to 2.5 J/m2, the DNA increases in size; by 4 h, it corresponds to DNA from uniformly labeled cells. The alkaline sucrose sedimentation pattern of DNA pulse labeled at various times after UV irradiation, for up to 4 h, does not change substantially, indicating that dimers continue to block DNA replication. A significant amount of postreplication repair requires de novo protein synthesis, as determined by its inhibition by cycloheximide. The rad6 mutant does not carry out postreplication repair, the rad18 and rad52 mutants show great inhibition while the rev3 mutation does not affect postreplication repair. Both recombinational and nonrecombinational repair mechanisms may function in postreplication repair and most of postreplication repair is error free.
Effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors on 3H-substance P binding in rat lleum

To determine whether neutral endopeptidase regulates the binding of substance P to the receptors, and if so, what the mechanism is, we determined the effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors, thiorphan and phosphoramidon, on specific binding of 3H-substance P to homogenates of rat ileum. Specific binding was of high affinity and was saturable (dissociation constant, KD = 2.4 ± 0.17 nM and number of maximal binding sites, Bmax = 101.1 ± 5.5 fmol/mg protein), and the receptor subtype was substance P-P type. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors increased the specific binding to up to 160% of control (P < 0.005). Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors prevented the degradation of 3H-substance P during the binding assay and increased the amount of 3H-substance P remaining in the assay system to up to 4.5-fold of control (P < 0.005), but did not significantly change the KD or Bmax values of specific binding. Protease inhibitors of kininase II, serine proteinases, or thiol proteinases did not significantly change either specific binding or the amount of 3H-substance P remaining in the assay system. We conclude that neutral endopeptidase regulates the binding of substance P to the receptors and that it does so by decreasing the amount of substance P available to the receptors, without significantly changing the affinity or the number of receptors.
Activation kinetics of recombinant mouse nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: mutations of alpha-subunit tyrosine 190 affect both binding and gating

Affinity labeling and mutagenesis studies have demonstrated that the conserved tyrosine Y190 of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) alpha-subunit is a key determinant of the agonist binding site. Here we describe the binding and gating kinetics of embryonic mouse AChRs with mutations at Y190. In Y190F the dissociation constant for ACh binding to closed channels was reduced approximately 35-fold at the first binding site and only approximately 2-fold at the second site. At both binding sites the association and dissociation rate constants were decreased by the mutation. Compared with wildtype AChRs, doubly-liganded alpha Y190F receptors open 400 times more slowly but close only 2 times more rapidly. Considering the overall activation reaction (vacant-closed to fully occupied-open), there is an increase of approximately 6.4 kcal/mol caused by the Y-to-F mutation, of which at least 2.1 and 0.3 kcal/mol comes from altered agonist binding to the first and second binding sites, respectively. The closing rate constant of alpha Y190F receptors was the same with ACh, carbamoylcholine, or tetramethylammonium as the agonist. This rate constant was approximately 3 times faster in ACh-activated S, W, and T mutants. The equilibrium dissociation constant for channel block by ACh was approximately 2-fold lower in alpha Y190F receptors compared with in wildtype receptors, suggesting that there are changes in the pore region of the receptor as a consequence of the mutation. The activation reaction is discussed with regard to energy provided by agonist-receptor binding contacts, and by the intrinsic folding energy of the receptor.
A Broad-Band Isotropic Real-Time Electric-Field Sensor (BIRES) Using Resistively Loaded Dipoles

A broad-band isotropic real-time electric-field sensor (BIRES) developed by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) consits of three resistively loaded dipoles mounted orthogonally to each other. It has the capability of measuring a complete description of frequency, polarization, magnitude, and phase information of the incident eleoa i (EM) fild. The typical tangential sensitivity of the BIRES is 13 to 16 ?V/m with a usable dynamic range of 125 to 144 dB for various bandwidths in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 1 GHz. The isotropic response, isotropy, of the BIRES is obtained by calculating the magnitude of the incident electric field, and its variation is found to be le than ± 1 dB.
Using advanced noninvasive imaging techniques to probe the links between regional coronary artery endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death in the US annually. The development in recent years of imaging strategies that can identify coronary endothelial dysfunction noninvasively provides new information about the early presence and local spatial heterogeneity of endothelial function in patients with, and those at risk for, coronary artery disease. In this article, we will briefly review the mechanisms relating endothelial function and atherosclerosis, contemporary imaging strategies now able to quantify coronary endothelial function noninvasively, and recent insights on human coronary endothelial function.
Deindustrialization and Urban Schools: Some Theoretical Considerations.

ion, along with ethnic and racial conflict? What kinds of curriculum are appropriate for schoolchildren whose job prospects have been radically altered because of deindustrialization? How does the increasing urban abstraction that Castells, Touraine, and Poster discuss affect urban schools and urban students? What are the consequences for urban educational reform programs which do not address the economic, social, and spatial dynamics of the particular city in which they are located? Finally, what are the consequences for urban educational theorizing which does not address the economic, social, and spatial dynamics of deindustrialization?
We need theoretical frameworks to potentiate application of bits and pieces of knowledge to support animal well-being

Michael Appleby’s piece amounts to a grappling and at the same time a tour de force. It should be recognized as a welcome contribution to doing what is right for animals and people alike in the real world. Indeed, any reader of the piece who has simultaneously wrestled with the biology, the economics, the ethics, the politics-not to mention the architecture and the engineering-of appropriate design of accommodations for animals in the post-Animal Machines (Harrison, 1964) era will be nodding vigorously, smiling knowingly, repeatedly, from start to finish. Clearly, to the extent that we may now be doing what is right, this is not because we came to it in any methodical way (NRAES, 1995). Still, in the end, will the word ‘variable’ in the title-and the complexity that connotes-be justified? Or is the word ‘variable’ in the title merely a sign of the times? But these queries are getting us ahead of the story. Not that Appleby as yet can offer any hard and fast guidance for coming to grips with these difficult matters, any recipe for designing the ‘best’ or the ‘correct’ or the ‘ideal’ or the ‘optimal’ accommodation with respect to supporting the behavioral well-being of any given animal. But at least he does supply a provisional inclusive list of ingredients, and that alone is a commendable accomplishment. Moreover, and importantly, he spikes any notion that it will be possible now or soon to know well the specifications of the environment any animal might require, let alone how anyone might set about fulfilling them. Several thoughts come to mind in the course of studying Appleby’s piece. In the first place, his plausible argument for supernormal stimuli will humble any designer who considers the possibility that environmental features designed with inadequate knowledge of the animal may inadvertently stimulate anomalous-even destructive-behavior. Are dairy cows offered lodging in two rows of 50 free stalls as confused as those swallows under that bridge may have been? And should we no longer intuitively trust
TCAS surveillance performance analysis

The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Version 7 surveillance requirements were developed in the mid-1990s with the use of limited radar data. Recently, a more comprehensive radar data source has become available, enabling a thorough analysis of TCAS surveillance performance throughout the National Airspace System (NAS). This paper uses a high fidelity simulation to characterize TCAS surveillance performance in six high traffic terminal environments. Transponder utilization due to TCAS and TCAS surveillance range are compared with the interference limiting design requirements. The effect of TCAS surveillance activity on Air Traffic Control (ATC) ground radar performance is also investigated. Results indicate that the surveillance algorithms perform as intended and that TCAS has a minimal impact on ground radar. Areas of concern are noted for future investigation.
Initial results for air-ground channel measurements & modeling for unmanned aircraft systems: Over-sea

As is widely known, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are expected to greatly expand in use within the national airspace system over the coming decades. With UAS civil spectral allocations planned for two bands—L-band (960–977 MHz) and C-band (5030–5091 MHz)—work is already being conducted on air interfaces and network design for control and non-payload communications (CNPC). Since most prior work studied the narrowband air-ground (AG) channel with very tall ground-site towers in open, clear areas, key wideband channel characteristics for UAS have not been thoroughly addressed. In this paper we provide some of our initial results on measurements and modeling of the AG channel, for a project sponsored by NASA Glenn Research Center. The measurements on which we report were conducted with a ground site in a coastal setting, with flights over the Pacific Ocean. These measurements were of the simultaneous channel impulse responses in both bands, and employed two receivers for each band to assess antenna diversity as well as differences across the bands. After a brief discussion of project goals, test equipment, and the measurement campaign, we provide analysis of power delay profiles and path loss, for several flight paths that cover moderate and low-elevation-angle conditions. We report on delay dispersion statistics, and channel parameter correlations across frequency and antennas for the over-sea setting. We also briefly discuss how our measured profiles will be used to develop statistical models for the AG channel. These models will be of use for communication system engineers conducting analysis, simulations, and design of future UAS CNPC systems.
At the Boundaries of Religious Identity: Native American Religions and American Legal Culture

This essay looks briefly at legal discourses about Native American religions in the late 19th and late 20th centuries, juxtaposing them in order to view the historical trends they represent—the role played by legal discourse in transforming Native American ceremonial practices and the role played by Native American religious discourses in transforming the law.
Allosteric modulation of ligand binding to low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein by the receptor-associated protein requires critical lysine residues within its carboxyl-terminal domain.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a large endocytic receptor that recognizes more than 30 different ligands and plays important roles in protease and lipoprotein catabolism. Ligand binding to newly synthesized LRP is modulated by the receptor-associated protein (RAP), an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein that functions as a molecular chaperone and prevents ligands from associating with LRP via an allosteric-type mechanism. RAP is a multidomain protein that contains two independent LRP binding sites, one located at the amino-terminal portion of the molecule and the other at the carboxyl-terminal portion of the molecule. The objective of the present investigation was to gain insight into how these two regions of RAP interact with LRP and function to modulate its ligand binding properties. These objectives were accomplished by random mutagenesis of RAP, which identified two critical lysine residues, Lys-256 and Lys-270, within the carboxyl-terminal domain that are necessary for binding of this region of RAP to LRP and to heparin. RAP molecules in which either of these two lysine residues was mutated still bound LRP but with reduced affinity. Furthermore, the mutant RAPs were significantly impaired in their ability to inhibit α2M* binding to LRP via allosteric mechanisms. In contrast, the mutant RAP molecules were still effective at inhibiting uPA·PAI-1 binding to LRP. These results confirm that both LRP binding sites within RAP cooperate to inhibit ligand binding via an allosteric mechanism.
An Update on the Amyloid Hypothesis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. To rationally develop novel therapeutic and/or preventative agents for AD, an understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of this complex disease is necessary. This article examines the evidence for the amyloid hypothesis of AD pathogenesis and discusses how it relates to the neurological and neuropathological features of AD, the known genetic risk factors and causative mutations, and the heightened risk associated with advanced age.
Posterior sagittal approach: Megasigmoid resection and anal reconstruction for severe constipation and fecal incontinence after anoplasty

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present the technique of megasigmoid resection and anal reconstruction by complete posterior sagittal approach for the children with severe constipation and fecal incontinence after anoplasty. Methods: Six patients (age, 2 to 18 years) born with imperforate anus and originally treated with perineal anoplasty suffered from intractable constipation and fecal incontinence. Contrast enema showed massive dilated and aperistaltic rectosigmoid colon with fecal impaction. Resection of the dilated bowel and anal reconstruction were completely performed by posterior sagittal approach.
Outcome of Group Treatment for Sexually Abused Adolescent Females Living in a Group Home Setting Preliminary Findings

The present study examined pre- to posttreatment changes on several outcome variables following a group treatment for sexually abused adolescent females living in a group home setting. The treatment, called SAY Group, is a 20-week, closed-enrollment group that employs a cognitive-behavioral, PTSD-informed approach. Pre- and posttest assessments were completed by 43 SAY Group participants and by their group-home caregivers. Significant improvements were found on adolescent self-report measures of internalizing and externalizing problems, PTSD symptoms, and self-worth. No significant improvement was noted for depression. Caregivers reported significant improvement on internalizing behavior problems and PTSD symptoms, but not on externalizing problems. Preliminary findings indicate that SAY Group is effective in reducing symptoms commonly associated with sexual abuse.
An analysis of sinuous ridges in the southern Argyre Planitia, Mars using HiRISE and CTX images and MOLA data

[1] A suite of sinuous ridges with branching and braided morphologies forms an anastomosing network in southern Argyre Planitia, Mars. Several modes of origin have been proposed for the Argyre ridges. Imagery from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX) aboard Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) topographic data sets from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) are used to constrain processes involved in formation of the Argyre ridges. We find the characteristics of the ridges and associated layered deposits consistent with glaciofluvial-lacustrine processes and conclude that the ridges are most likely eskers. In particular, variations in ridge height appear to be related to the surrounding surface slope; ridge height increases with descending slopes and decreases with ascending slopes. This characteristic is observed in terrestrial eskers and is related to subice flow processes. The nature of some eroding beds in the ridges suggests induration. If the Argyre ridges are indeed eskers, the southern Argyre basin was once covered by the margin of a large, thick, stagnating or retreating ice deposit that extended for hundreds of kilometers or more. During ridge formation, water flowed on top, within, or beneath the ice deposit; the continuity and preservation of the ridges suggests that flow was primarily at the base of the ice. The dimensions (up to hundreds of meters tall and several kilometers wide), aspect ratio, and extent (hundreds of kilometers) of the ridges, as well as preliminary calculations of discharge, suggest that a significant amount of water was available.
Collateral Gains From the Military? A Cross-National Analysis of the Armed Forces–Crime Relationship

Research has repeatedly showed that males aged between 16 and 24 years old account for a disproportionately large volume of crime. Armed forces are major employers of young males in their crime-prone ages and thus could play an essential role in crime prevention. The military is a highly structured and regimented total institution in which rigid behavioral norms and very close monitoring are imposed both on soldiers and on officers. Using data from 65 countries for the period of 1995 to 1999, this study assesses the crime-reduction function of the military by testing the influence of the relative size of the armed forces and the existence of conscription on national rates of homicide. The findings show that the size of the military and the existence of conscription are significantly related to homicide rates. Implications for future research are discussed.
10.1: Invited Paper: Roll-to-Roll Flexible Display for e-Paper Applications

The flexible display we describe here has a simple structure on single substrate. Disclosed more than a year ago, the display has steadily been improved in performance, such as in reflectance, contrast ratio, and driving voltage. In addition, a thermal addressing method is developed for high resolution e-paper application. A number of novel applications are also revealed in this report.
The effect of computer-conducted versus counselor-conducted initial intake interviews on client expectancy

Abstract This study compared the effect of a computer-conducted intake interview procedure with the same interview conducted by human counselors on clients' expectations concerning the counseling process. Subjects were 38 adults seeking individual counseling services at a university counseling psychology laboratory and were serially assigned to either a computer interview or a human counselor interview condition. The Client Expectancy Inventory (CEI) and selected scales of the Expectations About Counseling (EAC) questionnaire were administered post-intake to assess subjects' expectations for the remainder of counseling. Subjects' comfort with and enjoyment of the interview and the rate of subject return for the first post-intake counseling session were also assessed. Analysis of results revealed no significant differences between the two groups on any of the measures, thus supporting the study's hypotheses. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.
IOnized impurity scattering in semiconductors

Abstract Takimoto's treatment of the mobility of conduction electrons in semiconductors, of which the Conwell-Weisskopf and Brooks-Herring formulae are special cases, is extended by evaluation of a certain integral. Improved BH, CW, and Takimoto formulae are presented and the associated scattering potentials are derived. An incidental feature is that the cut-off inherent in the CW formulation is eliminated.
Gastrointestinal Complications after Mitral Valve Surgery

INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are well-recognized risks of open heart surgery. However, open heart surgery comes in different shapes and sizes with widely varying pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative pathologies. The aim of this study was to examine the etiology and risk factors for GI complications after mitral valve surgery. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 565 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery from 2003-2005 was performed. Prospectively collected data included preoperative risk factors, cardiac status, intra-operative data, postoperative GI complications and mortality. Survival was analyzed using log-rank analysis. RESULTS In this study population, 13 patients (2.3%) had 16 GI complications after mitral valve surgery resulting in an overall mortality of 0.7%. Complications included GI bleed (n = 9), cholecystitis (n = 3), perforated diverticulitis (n = 1) and ischemic bowel (n = 3). By univariate analysis, a history of hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), hypercholesterolemia, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, emergency valve surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery and preoperative vasopressor use were each associated with an increased incidence of GI complications (p <0.05). No increased incidence was seen in patients with atrial fibrillation. On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, cardiogenic shock (OR 8.1; 95% CI, 1.9-34.8), CRI (OR 8.1; 95% CI, 2.2-30.0) and vasopressor use (OR 6.5; 95% CI, 1.3-31.0) remained significant (p <0.02). Mean survival (3.2 vs. 5.4 years) was significantly lower (p <0.05) in those with GI complications. CONCLUSIONS GI complications after mitral valve surgery are infrequent, with a higher incidence in those with cardiogenic shock, CRI or requiring vasopressors. Pre-operative hemodynamic instability may be a bellwether for potential GI complications and should be of more prominent concern in this cohort of patients.
TU‐D‐I‐611‐01: A General Method for Micro CT System Calibration with Phantom Scan

Purpose: System calibration of a micro CT scanner for anatomic imaging of small animals. Method and Materials: A phantom was constructed with lead ball bearings (200 μm in diameter) and scanned with a micro CT scanner designed and built in our laboratory. A general mathematical algorithm was developed to locate the X-ray focal spot and measure the source to detector distance (SID) and the azimuthal rotation of the detector with information acquired from the projection image of the phantom. A wire phantom (0.070mm Ni-Cd) was scanned to calibrate the angle measurement of the stepping motor which drives the rotating stage of the scanner, and also to measure the source to iso-center distance (SIC). An array of different objects was scanned and reconstructed with these calibrated parameters to evaluate the calibration result. Results: With the calibration procedure described, critical system parameters required for cone beam reconstruction including SIC, SID, x-ray focal spot location, detector rotation angle, and stage rotation angle were measured with high precision. Subsequent phantom testing demonstrated the accuracy of this calibration method by qualitative artifact assessment, and spatial resolution metrics (MTF) also demonstrated excellent performance. Conclusion: A simple but precise method for system calibration of a cone beam micro CT system using flat panel detector was developed. This method is likely useful for CT systems across different scales (from micro CT to human CT).
Estrategias imitativas en el Siglo de Oro de Bernardo de Balbuena

Desde Garcilaso de la Vega hasta Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz el mundo poetico en sus diferentes avatares estilisticos puede definirse con una sola palabra: imitatio. Tal es el principio absoluto y ac...
Interactive inspection of solids: cross-sections and interferences

To reduce the cost of correcting design errors, assemblies of mechanical parts are modeled using CAD systems and verified electronically before the designs are sent to manufacturing. Shaded images are insufficient for examining the internal structures of assemblies and for detecting interferences. Thus, designers must rely on expensive numerical techniques that compute geometric representations of cross-sections and of intersections of solids. The solid-clipping approach presented here bypasses these geometric calculations and offers realtime rendering of cross-sections and interferences for solids represented by their facetted boundaries. In its simplest form, the technique is supported by contemporary highend graphics workstations. Its variations, independently developed elsewhere, have already been demonstrated. Our implementation is based on the concept of a cutvolume interactively manipulated to remove obstructing portions of the assembly and reveal its internal structure. For clarity, faces of the cut-volume which intersect a single solid are hatched and shaded with the color of that solid. Interference areas between two or more solids are highlighted. Furthermore, to help users find the first occurrence of an interference along a search direction, we have developed an adaptive subdivision search based on a projective approach which guarantees a sufficient condition for object disjointness. The additional performance cost for solid-clipping and interference highlighting is comparable to the standard rendering cost. An efficient implementation of the disjointness test requires a minor extension of the graphics functions currently supported on commercial hardware.
New Recommendations from the 1999 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Acute Myocardial Infarction Guidelines:

OBJECTIVE:To review literature relating to significant changes in drug therapy recommendations in the 1999 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).DATA SOURCES:1999 ACC/AHA AMI guidelines, English-language clinical trials, reviews, and editorials researching the role of drug therapy and primary angioplasty for AMI that were referenced in the guidelines were included. Additional data published in 2000 or unpublished were also included if relevant to interpretation of the guidelines.STUDY SELECTION:The articles selected influence AMI treatment recommendations.DATA SYNTHESIS:Many clinicians and health systems use the ACC/AHA AMI guidelines to develop treatment plans for AMI patients. This review highlights important changes in AMI drug therapy recommendations by reviewing the results of recent clinical trials. Insights into evolving drug therapy strategies that may impact future guideline development are als...
Centrosomal localization of Diversin and its relevance to Wnt signaling

Wnt pathways regulate many developmental processes, including cell-fate specification, cell polarity, and cell movements during morphogenesis. The subcellular distribution of pathway mediators in specific cellular compartments might be crucial for the selection of pathway targets and signaling specificity. We find that the ankyrin-repeat protein Diversin, which functions in different Wnt signaling branches, localizes to the centrosome in Xenopus ectoderm and mammalian cells. Upon stimulation with Wnt ligands, the centrosomal distribution of Diversin is transformed into punctate cortical localization. Also, Diversin was recruited by Frizzled receptors to non-homogeneous Dishevelled-containing cortical patches. Importantly, Diversin deletion constructs, which did not localize to the centrosome, failed to efficiently antagonize Wnt signaling. Furthermore, a C-terminal construct that interfered with Diversin localization inhibited Diversin-mediated β-catenin degradation. These observations suggest that the centrosomal localization of Diversin is crucial for its function in Wnt signaling.
Many body effects in carbon nanotube fluorescence spectroscopy

Two dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy on suspensions of carbon nanotubes probes the electronic excitations of carbon nanotubes with unprecedented resolution and reveals systematic deviations from the predictions of conventional one electron theories. We address these problems by formulating a theory of the scaling optical excitation energies with band index, tube radius and chiral angle. This reveals an unconventional scaling relation that arises from a singular self energy contribution to the quasiparticle dispersion relation in the two dimensional graphene sheet. Self energy and excitonic effects from the long range part of the Coulomb interaction for the one dimensional nanotube are separately strong but they largely cancel, exposing the physics of the two dimensional interacting system.
Reply to J. R. Holton

I agree with Holtm that further studies incorporating synoptic-cumulus scale interactions as well as boundary layer friction are necessary. In particular, the last two terms in eq. 5 of Shapiro (1977) can not balance with an inviscid interior (Stevens et al. (1976)). The tendency of these terms to balance can be attributed to the inclusion of cumulus momentum transports and can not be specified a priori without omitting essential physics. Thus a barotropic model, such as Holton’s (1979, which can not incorporate the vertical structure of the heating or the waves and which allows only a Rayleigh friction form of cumulus momentum transports (Holton’s eq. 14), can not properly diagnose the dynamics of the waves above the boundary layer. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1977.tb00739.x
Imaging fluid flow and cilia beating pattern in Xenopus brain ventricles

Brain development and health depends upon the efficient movement of the cerebrospinal fluid inside of brain ventricles. When disrupted either through mutation, disease, or physiological damage, brain function becomes significantly impaired. Here I present a simple method of following cerebrospinal fluid circulation in Xenopus tadpoles using fluorescent microspheres which can be applied to imaging fluid circulation in any transparent embryo. In particular, cilia may be labeled with these microspheres to study their dynamics and movement patterns in vivo while simultaneously measuring bulk fluid flow. This technique will facilitate the analysis of fluid dynamics in developing embryos and aid in understanding the regulation of cilia dependent fluid flow in vivo.
An Architecture for a Safety-Critical Steer-by-Wire System

A hardware and software architecture suitable for a safety-critical steer-by-wire systems is presented. The architecture supports three major failure modes and features several safety protocols and mechanisms. Failures due to component failures, software errors, and human errors are handled by the architecture and safety protocols. A test implementation using replicated communication channels, controllers, sensors, and actuators has been performed. The test implementation uses the CAN protocol, Motorola S12 microcontrollers, and Microchip MCP250XX components with a steering wheel and road wheel simulator. The focus of the paper is on the application level, using system engineering principles which incorporate a holistic approach to achieve safety at various levels.
The Facade of Stability in Assisted Living

Objectives. The study sought to identify the v aried types of change arising from internal and external influences in assisted living (AL) settings, expanding upon the literature’s limited focus on resident decline and staff turnover and clarifying the importance of changes to life and work there. Method. This analysis emplo yed qualitative interviews and observations from 4 studies involving 17 ALs to identify elements of change largely absent from the literature. Case material identified by the research team members relating to persons, groups, and settings exemplifying typical changes, as well as variations across settings, are presented. Results. Multiple domains of AL change were identified, to include those in: (a) the external economic or competitive environments; (b) ownership, management, or key personnel; and (c) physical health or cognition of the aggregate resident population. In many cases, the changes influenced residents’ satisfaction and perceived fit with the AL environment. Discussion. Change of man y types is a regular feature of AL; many changes alter routines or daily life; raise concerns of staff, residents, or families; or modify perceptions of residential normalcy. Environmental gerontology should more often extend the environment to include the social and interpersonal characteristics of collective living sites for elders.
Effect of breeding protocols and reproductive tract score on reproductive performance of dairy heifers and economic outcome of breeding programs.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of reproductive protocols and reproductive tract score on reproductive performance of dairy heifers and economic outcomes of breeding programs. Holstein heifers (n=534), 13±1 mo of age, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 reproductive protocols. On the day of enrollment (d 0), heifers were palpated per rectum and received a score according to the maturity of their reproductive tract (1 = prepubertal; 2=peripubertal; and 3=puber-tal). Estrous detection-control heifers (CON, n=146) received no treatment and were inseminated on detection of estrus for 28 d. Prostaglandin F 2α -treated heifers (PGED, n=137) received 1 injection of PGF 2α on d 0 and were inseminated on detection of estrus; heifers not in-seminated by d 14 received a second injection of PGF 2α and were observed for estrus and artificial insemination (AI) for an additional 14 d. Heifers enrolled in the estrous detection-timed AI (EDTAI, n=140) treatment received a controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) insert on d 0, and 7 d later, the CIDR was removed and all heifers received an injection of PGF 2α , heifers received AI on detection of estrus, and those not inseminated by 72h after PGF 2α received an injection of GnRH concurrent with AI. Heifers in the GnRH-timed AI (GTAI, n=111) treatment received 1 injection of GnRH on d 0, on d 6 heifers received a CIDR insert and injections of GnRH and PGF 2α , on d 13 the CIDR was removed and heifers received an injection of PGF 2α , and 48h later all heifers received an injection of GnRH and AI. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 32±3 and 62±3 d after AI. Cost of reproductive protocols and their economic outcomes were calculated for a 28 d period beginning at enrollment. Heifers in the PGED treatment were inseminated at a faster rate than CON heifers. A smaller proportion of prepubertal and peripubertal heifers were inseminated within 14 d of enrollment compared with pubertal heifers. Pregnancy per AI of CON and PGED heifers was greater compared with EDTAI and GTAI heifers. Proportion of GTAI heifers pregnant at the end of the 28-d breeding program was or tended to be smaller compared with PGED and CON heifers, respectively. Heifers in the CON and PGED treatments had the smallest cost per pregnancy followed by heifers in the EDTAI and GTAI treatments, respectively. When different scenarios were evaluated, however, the mean cost per pregnancy was smallest for PGED heifers. Cost per pregnancy generated was greatest for prepubertal heifers, whereas pubertal heifers had the smallest cost per pregnancy generated. Treatment of dairy heifers with PGF 2α every 14 d until insemination and pregnancy results in the best economic outcomes, and screening heifers according to RTS may prove beneficial to identify heifers that may not be pubertal and would have compromised reproductive and economic performance in a breeding program.
Rationale for coronary artery radiation therapy.

Within the past decade, focus on radiation to prevent restenosis has moved from a concept developed in the animal laboratory to a clinical treatment. The initial evaluation of coronary artery radiation therapy focused on changes in the function of the artery or lesion formation following overstretch balloon injury in pigs. A number of concepts emerged from this work: (1) radiation inhibits neointima formation in a dose-dependent fashion, (2) radiation prevents negative remodeling, (3) radiation does not reverse established injury, (4) low dose irradiation in an injured area may be injurious, (5) radiation is a useful adjunct to stenting, (6) benefits of radiation in animal models at 6 months are less pronounced than at 1 month, (7) radiation delays healing, (8) permanent stents and radiation delivered from external sources may have very different effects on restenosis, and (9) radiation interferes with vessel wall function. More recent studies of irradiation have looked at the molecular biological effects of radiation in hopes of understanding how this therapy works, and how it may be improved. This article attempts to summarize the known animal and cellular work on radiation in preventing restenosis.
Do Mothers’ Opinions Matter in Teens’ Sexual Activity?:

Using the Add Health data (N = 9,530 dyads), this study explores sexual socialization in the family using the theory of reasoned action by assessing how mothers’ opinions are associated with their children’s sexual behavior. Findings suggest that the more sexually liberal teens think their mothers are, the more likely the teens are to have higher numbers of sex partners. Talking about sex and having a strong connection between mothers and teens contribute to sexual norm transmission. The more talk about sex there is within the dyad, the more likely the teen is to have had sex. The stronger the connection between mothers and teens, the less likely the teen is to have had sex. Finally, for boys, verbal communication with their mothers is more important in sexual norm transmission; and for girls, having a good connection in the dyad is more important.
Adsorption rate studies—significance of pore diffusion

Adsorption rates were measured by a transcient method for nitrogen on beds of porous Vycor glass particles. Nitrogen was adsorbed, from a low concentration in helium, at liquid nitrogen temperature. Equations are presented for the concentration as a function of time and position in the bed, based upon surface adsorption, pore diffusion, or external diffusion controlling the overall process. Analysis of the data with these results indicates that the surface adsorption is a very rapid process and that pore processes determine the rate for particles larger than 0.01 cm. in radius. The effective pore diffusivity was determined to be 0.04 sq. cm./sec. The predominant contribution to the diffusivity is a surface mechanism rather than diffusion in the gas within the pores.
Inelastic K+p Reactions at Incident Momenta from 1.37 to 2.17 GeV/c

Inelastic K+p reactions have been studied in a 400 000-picture exposure of the LRL 25-in. hydrogen bubble chamber. Cross sections have been obtained for single-pion and two-pion final states corresponding to the two-prong-V and four-prong topologies. These channels show a smooth energy dependence, consistent with observations at other momenta. The production and decay angular distributions for the quasi-two-body channels agree with the predictions of simple exchange models and show no evidence of an s-channel resonance. It is not possible, however, to place any quantitative limit on the production of a Z*. Quarkmodel relations for double-resonance production have been tested and are well satisfied by our data.
A primal-dual interior-point method for robust optimal control of linear discrete-time systems

This paper describes how to efficiently solve a robust optimal control problem using recently developed primal-dual interior-point methods. One potential application is model predictive control. The optimization problem considered consists of a worst case quadratic performance criterion over a finite set of linear discrete-time models subject to inequality constraints on the states and control signals. The scheme has been prototyped in Matlab. To give a rough idea of the efficiencies obtained, it is possible to solve problems with more than 10 000 primal variables and 40 000 constraints on a workstation. The key to the efficient implementation is an iterative solver in conjunction with a Riccati-recursion invertible pre-conditioner for computing the search directions.
Minimal error certificates for detection of faulty sensors using convex optimization

This article proposes a new method for sensor fault detection, applicable to systems modeled by conservation laws. The state of the system is modeled by a Hamilton-Jacobi equation, in which the Hamiltonian is uncertain. Using a LaxHopf formula, we show that any local measurement of the state of the system restricts the allowed set of possible values of other local measurements. We derive these constraints explicitly for arbitrary Hamilton-Jacobi equations. We apply this framework to sensor fault detection, and pose the problem finding the minimal possible sensor error (minimal error certificate) as a set of convex programs. We illustrate the performance of the resulting algorithms for a highway traffic flow monitoring sensor network in the San-Francisco Bay Area.
Control of batch processing systems in semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities

Loading policies for a batch processing machine, i.e. a machine that can process more than one job at a time, when the arrival times of jobs to the machine are uncertain, are described. The motivation for the study is the structure of process flows and the predominance of batch processing systems in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. A two stage serial-batch system with the serial stage (e.g. photolithography) feeding the batch (e.g. furnace) is considered. Machines in the serial stage process one job at a time; further, these machines are subject to failure. A control limit policy for loading the batch machine is assumed, i.e. load if the queue length >or=Q, else wait until the number of jobs in queue is at least Q. The basic tradeoffs considered are delay (waiting too long) vs. capacity utilization (loading early with very few jobs). An average cost analysis is done and optimized to compute the critical number Q. In an extension to the basic model, the effect of due dates on the critical number is analyzed. Comparison with simulation results is very encouraging. >
Synthetic mammalian transgene negative autoregulation

Biological networks contain overrepresented small-scale topologies, typically called motifs. A frequently appearing motif is the transcriptional negative-feedback loop, where a gene product represses its own transcription. Here, using synthetic circuits stably integrated in human kidney cells, we study the effect of negative-feedback regulation on cell-wide (extrinsic) and gene-specific (intrinsic) sources of uncertainty. We develop a theoretical approach to extract the two noise components from experiments and show that negative feedback results in significant total noise reduction by reducing extrinsic noise while marginally increasing intrinsic noise. We compare the results to simple negative regulation, where a constitutively transcribed transcription factor represses a reporter protein. We observe that the control architecture also reduces the extrinsic noise but results in substantially higher intrinsic fluctuations. We conclude that negative feedback is the most efficient way to mitigate the effects of extrinsic fluctuations by a sole regulatory wiring.
Drug testing attitudes of mandatory participants

We surveyed the attitudes of 500 intercollegiate athletes at a large US university about their drug testing experience, and contrasted their responses with 124 others who were not required to participate. We ascertained their perceived reasons for mandatory testing, their arguments both favoring and opposing drug testing, and their opinions about which drug use should be tested. As a group, drug tested athletes were significantly less enthusiastic about drug testing than the comparison group.