cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comment on the `basic security theorem' of Bell and LaPadula

Abstract Many claim that the security model developed by Bell and LaPadula and used as a basis for numerous prototype military computer systems is superior to others partly because its authors prove a ‘Basic Security Theorem’ that applies to it. This paper shows that the theorem does not support such claims since it can be proven for security models that are obviously not secure. Further, the theorem provides little help to those who design and implement secure systems.
Psychological resistance factors as predictors of general health status and physical symptom reporting

The ability of the psychological resistance factors Sense of Coherence (SOC) and dispositional Optimism (LOT-R) to predict physical symptom reporting (PILL), psychological wellbeing (MHI-5) and perceived general health (SF-36®), over and above demographic variables (age, race, gender) and the 'Big Five' personality dimensions (NEO-FFI®) was explored in a sample of 202 undergraduate students. Hierarchical regression analyses identified race, Neuroticism, and Extraversion as significant predictors of physical symptom reporting. Neuroticism, Sense of Coherence and Optimism were identified as significant predictors of psychological wellbeing. Only Sense of Coherence was a significant predictor of perceived general health. Coping was tested as a mediator using structural equation modeling. Avoidance coping, but not approach coping, mediated the relationship between Sense of Coherence and psychological wellbeing and general health. Coping did not mediate the relationship between Neuroticism and/or race and phys...
An epithelial precursor is regulated by the ureteric bud and by the renal stroma.

Kidney epithelia develop from the metanephric mesenchyme after receiving inductive signals from the ureteric bud and from the renal stroma. However, it is not clear how these signals induce the different types of epithelia that make up the nephron. To investigate inductive signaling, we have isolated clusters of epithelial progenitors from the metanephric mesenchyme, thereby separating them from the renal stroma. When the isolated progenitors were treated with the ureteric bud factor LIF, they expressed epithelial proteins (ZO-1, E-cadherin, laminin α5) and produced nephrons (36 glomeruli with 58 tubules), indicating that they are the target of inductive signaling from the ureteric bud, and that renal stroma is not absolutely required for epithelial development in vitro. In fact, stroma-depleted epithelial progenitors produced sevenfold more glomeruli than did intact metanephric mesenchyme (5 glomeruli, 127 tubules). Conversely, when epithelial progenitors were treated with both LIF and proteins secreted from a renal stromal cell line, glomerulogenesis was abolished but tubular epithelia were expanded (0 glomeruli, 47 tubules). Hence, by isolating epithelial progenitors from the metanephric mesenchyme, we show that they are targeted by factors from the ureteric bud and from the renal stroma, and that epithelial diversification is stimulated by the ureteric bud and limited by renal stroma.
The effect of juvenile hormone on the nuclear proteins of the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus

Abstract The histone proteins, nuclear sap proteins, and the acidic proteins were extracted from the nuclei of fifth instar Oncopeltus fasciatus larvae treated for 1.5 hr with either acetone or juvenile hormone. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the histone proteins showed no qualitative or quantitative differences in the histones between the acetone and juvenile hormone treated bugs. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated 23 nuclear sap protein bands and 19 to 20 acidic protein bands. Comparison of the acidic proteins indicated that there were no dramatic changes in the banding pattern, although acetone band 15 was found to be absent in the juvenile hormone treated.
Calcium binding sites of the transmitter release mechanism: Clues from short-term facilitation

The binding of multiple, probably four, calcium ions to an intraterminal protein is believed to be an integral step in the gating of neurotransmitter release. We have reexamined the clues to this ion-protein interaction inferred from experimental results on transmitter release and its facilitation. It is argued that while one of the four calcium binding sites required to activate transmitter release may have a relatively low affinity, results obtained from studies on short-term facilitation suggest that the other sites have affinities that range from intermediate to relatively high. A low calcium affinity should not, therefore, be regarded as obligatory requirement in the identification of the calcium binding protein.
Competitive elimination of methane and ethylene from trimethylsilyl-substituted silylenium ions

Abstract Metastable dissociations have been studied for trimethylsilyldimethylsilylenium ion, (CH 3 ) 3 Si–Si + (CH 3 ) 2 , and four bridged analogs, (CH 3 ) 3 Si–X–Si + (CH 3 ) 2 (X = CH 2 , O, NH, CC). Several dissociation pathways are observed, with branching ratios that vary significantly with the bridging group. This article focuses on two competing pathways: elimination of methane and of ethylene. The energetics of ethylene elimination from (CH 3 ) 3 Si–Si + (CH 3 ) 2 have been characterized by molecular orbital and density functional theory, and the kinetic energy distributions of the products of the dissociation have been modeled with statistical phase space theory, yielding good agreement with experiment. Methane elimination occurs across the two silicon centers, and is accompanied by a large release of kinetic energy, suggestive of a concerted reaction and a considerable reverse activation barrier in the exit channel. Electronic structure calculations combined with statistical phase space modeling of the dissociation kinetics suggest that the product from methane elimination is a disilacyclobutyl cation. A mechanism for this elimination reaction is proposed. A comparison of the kinetic energy release distributions observed for methane elimination from the bridged ions suggests that an analogous mechanism is involved for the entire series.
Comparisons of tetrachloro(d,l-trans)1,2-diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(IV) biotransformations in the plasma of Fischer 344 rats at therapeutic and toxic doses

Plasma biotransformations of tetrachloro(d,l-trans) 1,2-diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(IV) (tetraplatin) were determined in vivo at both therapeutic (3 mg/kg) and toxic (12 mg/kg) doses in Fischer 344 rats. Tetraplatin was rapidly converted to dichloro(d,l-trans)1,2-diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(II) [PtCl2(dach)]. This conversion was complete at the earliest time measured (7.5 min) at the therapeutic dose, but some unreacted tetraplatin was detectable in the circulation at the toxic dose. Three other major biotransformation products were observed in plasma: (d,l-trans)1,2-diaminocyclohexaneaquachloroplatinum(II) [Pt(H2O)(Cl)(dach)]+, the Pt-methionine complex, and another biotransformation product tentatively identified as either the Pt-cysteine or Pr-ornithine complex. Several other minor plasma biotransformation products were detected. Two of these were most likely formed intracellulary from tetraplatin. Two or more other platinum complexes appeared to lack the diaminocyclohexane carrier ligand and were most likely formed intracellulary by trans-labilization of the carrier ligand. Tetraplatin, PtCl2(dach), and [Pt(H2O)(Cl)(dach)]+ all rapidly disappeared from the circulation. The other biotransformation products were persistent through at least 3h and could be responsible for the delayed toxicity of tetraplatin. Although some minor differences were observed between tetraplatin biotransformations at the toxic vs therapeutic doses, most biotransformation products were simply present at much greater concentrations at the toxic dose than at the therapeutic dose. Thus, our data suggest that dose-dependent differences in tetraplatin toxicity are probably attributable to the amount, rather than the type, of biotransformation products present in the plasma.
Gangliosides of bovine optic nerve

Gangliosides from bovine optic nerve were analyzed. The optic nerve contained 129, 98, 97, 80, 31 and 12 μg of GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, GD3 and GQ1 gangliosides, respectively, per g of tissue wet wt. These 6 gangliosides altogether contributed 97% of the total sialic acid. GM3 and GM2 gangliosides contributed the remaining 3% of total sialic acid. Stearoyl (18∶0) was the predominant acyl group (61–76%) in all gangliosides. There was a marked variation in acyl group composition between GT1 and most of the other major gangliosides except GD3. In comparison to the other gangliosides, GT1 contained a lower proportion of the stearoyl group and a higher proportion of the oleoyl, nervonoyl and the long chain acyl groups. Both GT1 and GD3 gangliosides contained proportionately higher levels of long chain acyl groups (20∶0→24∶0) than did other gangliosides. GD3 gangliosides showed 2 bands on thin layer chromatography, and the upper band was more distinct than the lower band.
An ab initio study of the proton affinities of some heteroatomic rings: Imidazole, oxazole, and thiazole

The proton affinities of imidazole, oxazole, and thiazole rings, relevant to the binding of lexitropsins that contain these rings to the minor groove of DNA, are calculated using ab initio (Hartree–Fock) calculations. It is found that the proton affinities decrease in the order imidazole, oxazole, thiazole and that a methyl group substituent increases the proton affinity of imidazole, while a peptidic group decreases it.
An equation error approach for the elasticity imaging inverse problem for predicting tumor location

The primary objective of this work is to study the elasticity imaging inverse problem of identifying cancerous tumors in the human body. This nonlinear inverse problem not only represents an important and interesting application, it also brings forth noteworthy mathematical challenges since the underlying model is a system of elasticity equations involving incompressibility. Due to the locking effect, classical finite element methods are not effective for incompressible elasticity equations. Therefore, special treatment is necessary for both the direct and inverse problems. To study the inverse problem in an optimization framework, we propose an extension of the equation error approach. We focus on two cases, namely when the material parameter is sufficiently smooth and when it is may be discontinuous. For the latter case, we extend the total variation regularization method to the elasticity imaging inverse problem. We give the existence results for the proposed equation error approach and give the convergence analysis for the discretized problem. We give sufficient details on the discrete formulas as well as on the implementation issues. Numerical examples for smooth and discontinuous coefficients are given.
The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid on brain mitochondrial ATP synthesis.

—Rat brain mitochondrial ATP synthesis was studied by measuring labeled orthophosphate incorporation into ADP to form ATP. GABA stimulates ATP synthesis, and this effect requires glutamate since with GABA alone little ATP is formed. The significance of this effect by GABA is unclear, but the mechanism may relate to induction of conformational change or chelation of cation.
Intergenerational mobility and subjective well-being—Evidence from the general social survey☆

Abstract We investigate the relationship between intergenerational socio-economic mobility and subjective well-being (SWB) using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). We look at three different measures of intergenerational mobility—social, educational, and income mobility. We find that downward mobility with respect to all three measures has a negative effect on the self-reported level of happiness and subjective health while upward mobility is associated with positive outcomes in subjective well-being. The positive and negative effect of social and educational mobility, however, is entirely through the income and health channels while income mobility has an impact on subjective well-being even after controlling for the current level of income and health. We further find that the effect of income mobility on subjective well-being peaks between the ages of 35–45 years and then slowly dissipates. Finally, the negative effect of downward mobility on subjective well-being is much stronger than the positive effect of upward mobility. This is consistent with the decision theory of loss aversion according to which the experienced disutility from loses outweighs the utility from acquiring proportionate gains. We do not find evidence for loss aversion when it comes to social and educational mobility.
Can ferumoxtran-10-enhanced MRI be used for preoperative nodal staging in patients with bladder cancer?

Can ferumoxtran-10-enhanced MRI be used for preoperative nodal staging in patients with bladder cancer?
Acute toxicity value extrapolation with fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Assessment of risk posed by an environmental contaminant to an aquatic community requires estimation of both its magnitude of occurrence (exposure) and its ability to cause harm (effects). Our ability to estimate effects is often hindered by limited toxicological information. As a result, resource managers and environmental regulators are often faced with the need to extrapolate across taxonomic groups in order to protect the more sensitive members of the aquatic community. The goals of this effort were to 1) compile and organize an extensive body of acute toxicity data, 2) characterize the distribution of toxicant sensitivity across taxa and species, and 3) evaluate the utility of toxicity extrapolation methods based upon sensitivity relations among species and chemicals. Although the analysis encompassed a wide range of toxicants and species, pesticides and freshwater fish and invertebrates were emphasized as a reflection of available data. Although it is obviously desirable to have high-quality acute toxicity values for as many species as possible, the results of this effort allow for better use of available information for predicting the sensitivity of untested species to environmental contaminants. A software program entitled “Ecological Risk Analysis” (ERA) was developed that predicts toxicity values for sensitive members of the aquatic community using species sensitivity distributions. Of several methods evaluated, the ERA program used with minimum data sets comprising acute toxicity values for rainbow trout, bluegill, daphnia, and mysids provided the most satisfactory predictions with the least amount of data. However, if predictions must be made using data for a single species, the most satisfactory results were obtained with extrapolation factors developed for rainbow trout (0.412), bluegill (0.331), or scud (0.041). Although many specific exceptions occur, our results also support the conventional wisdom that invertebrates are generally more sensitive to contaminants than fish are.
Ras signaling pathways mediate NGF-induced enhancement of excitability of small-diameter capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons from wildtype but not Nf1+/− mice

Nerve growth factor (NGF) activates multiple downstream effectors, including Ras, phosphoinositide-3 kinase, and sphingomyelins. However, pathway mediating the NGF-induced augmentation of sensory neuronal excitability remains largely unknown. We previously reported that small-diameter sensory neurons with a heterozygous mutation of the Nf1 gene (Nf1+/-) exhibited increased excitability. The protein product of the Nf1 gene is neurofibromin, a guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein (GAP) for p21ras (Ras) that accelerates the conversion of active Ras-GTP to inactive Ras-GDP. Thus, Nf1+/- cells have augmented basal and stimulated Ras activity. To investigate whether NGF-induced increases in excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons are dependent on Ras signaling, an antibody that blocks the activation of Ras, Y13-259, was perfused into the cell. Under these conditions, the enhanced excitability produced by NGF was suppressed in wildtype neurons but the excitability of Nf1+/- neurons was unaltered. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative form of Ras abolished the ability of NGF to increase the excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons. These results demonstrate that NGF enhances excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons in a Ras-dependent manner while the consequences of decreased expression of neurofibromin cannot be restored by blocking Ras signaling; suggesting that Ras-initiated signaling pathways can regulate both transcriptional and posttranslational control of ion channels important in neuronal excitability.
Amplitude Corrections for Regional Seismic Discriminants

A fundamental problem associated with event identification lies in deriving corrections that remove path and earthquake source effects on regional phase amplitudes used to construct discriminants. Our goal is to derive a set of physically based corrections that are independent of magnitude and distance, and amenable to multivariate discrimination by extending the technique described in Taylor and Hartse (1998). For a given station and source region, a number of well-recorded earthquakes is used to estimate source and path corrections. The source model assumes a simple Brune (1970) earthquake source that has been extended to handle non-constant stress drop. The discrimination power in using corrected amplitudes lies in the assumption that the earthquake model will provide a poor fit to the signals from an explosion. The propagation model consists of a frequency-independent geometrical spreading and frequency-dependent power law Q. A grid search is performed simultaneously at each station for all recorded regional phases over stress-drop, geometrical spreading, and frequency-dependent Q to find a suite of good-fitting models that remove the dependence on m b and distance. Seismic moments can either be set to pre-determined values or estimated through inversion and are tied to m b through two additional coefficients. We also solve for frequency-dependent site/phase excitation terms. Once a set of corrections is derived, effects of source scaling and distance as a function of frequency are applied to amplitudes from new events prior to forming discrimination ratios. Thus, all the corrections are tied to just m b (or M 0) and distance and can be applied very rapidly in an operational setting. Moreover, phase amplitude residuals as a function of frequency can be spatially interpolated (e.g., using kriging) and used to construct a correction surface for each phase and frequency. The spatial corrections from the correction surfaces can then be applied to the corrected amplitudes based only on the event location. The correction parameters and correction surfaces can be developed offline and entered into an online database for pipeline processing providing multivariate-normal corrected amplitudes for event identification. Examples are shown using events from western China recorded at the station MAKZ.
Assessing process incapability when collecting data from multiple batches

Process capability indices have been widely used in industry to measure the ability of firms to meet quality specifications. The index not only can directly reflect the process incapability, but also provides more information regarding process inaccuracy and imprecision than other indices. Therefore, it can help contract manufacturers to better understand their processes for improving quality performance. In real applications, the sampling data are often collected from multiple batches. Based on this condition, this study proposes an alternate method to assess the true value. The concept of generalised pivotal quantity is used, and the generalised confidence interval is derived to estimate . Furthermore, we provide simulations to compare the performances of our proposed method with an existing method. The results show that the empirical confidences of the two methods are affected by the degree of process departure. Therefore, practitioners can select the appropriate one to assess the process capability, d...
Are there two kinds of blue stragglers in globular clusters

Blue stragglers made from collisions may have excess He abundance outside the core compared to those made from binary mergers. This effect may be observable, particularly in ultraviolet colors. Most blue stragglers have been discovered in clusters sufficiently sparse that collisions are improbable, and there is direct evidence for binarity in several cases. However, the newly discovered blue straggler sequences in the cores of NGC 6397 and 47 Tuc show characteristics which may be more easily explained if they are formed from collisional mergers.
NATURE OF THE RESONANCE IN THE STATIC PION-NUCLEON SCATTERING IN ONE-MESON APPROXIMATION,

Abstract The solution of the Chew-Low integral equation for the static p-wave meson-nucleon scattering is studied as a function of the coupling constant to deduce the nature of the 33-resonance. It is shown that a dynamical resonance can occur for a suitable choice of the cut off function. The possibility of a kinematical resonance is also discussed and the effective range formula is derived directly from the dispersion relation.
Photothermal treatment of human carcinoma cells using liposome-encapsulated gold nanoshells

We report the application of liposome-encapsulated gold nanoshells for in vitro photo-induced hyperthermia in human mammary carcinoma cells. In addition to evaluating their effects in vitro, we compared the application liposome-encapsulated gold nanoshells and free-standing gold nanoshells for NanoPhotoTherapy (NPT). NPT-induced hyperthermia was performed using a 785-nm near-infrared light from a diode laser and the in vitro effects were evaluated using nucleic acid molecular probes by fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, we monitored the effectiveness of NPT by detecting apoptosis via capase-9 activity.
Packet randomized experiments for eliminating classes of confounders.

Background Although randomization is considered essential for causal inference, it is often not possible to randomize in nutrition and obesity research. To address this, we develop a framework for an experimental design—packet randomized experiments (PREs), which improves causal inferences when randomization on a single treatment variable is not possible. This situation arises when subjects are randomly assigned to a condition (such as a new roommate) which varies in one characteristic of interest (such as weight), but also varies across many others. There has been no general discussion of this experimental design, including its strengths, limitations, and statistical properties. As such, researchers are left to develop and apply PREs on an ad hoc basis, limiting its potential to improve causal inferences among nutrition and obesity researchers. Methods We introduce PREs as an intermediary design between randomized controlled trials and observational studies. We review previous research that used the PRE design and describe its application in obesity-related research, including random roommate assignments, heterochronic parabiosis, and the quasi-random assignment of subjects to geographic areas. We then provide a statistical framework to control for potential packet-level confounders not accounted for by randomization. Results Packet randomized experiments have successfully been used to improve causal estimates of the effect of roommates, altitude, and breastfeeding on weight outcomes. When certain assumptions are met, PREs can asymptotically control for packet-level characteristics. This has the potential to statistically estimate the effect of a single treatment even when randomization to a single treatment did not occur. Conclusions Applying PREs to obesity-related research will improve decisions about clinical, public health, and policy actions insofar as it offers researchers new insight into cause and effect relationships among variables.
Myelin basic protein-enhanced fusion of membranes.

Abstract Myelin basic protein caused rapid aggregation of vesicles containing acidic phospholipids. Aggregation could be reversed by trypsin digestion of the myelin basic protein. Aggregated vesicles containing gel phase phospholipids or vesicles containing greater than 15 mol% lysolecithin underwent fusion. The extent of fusion was measured by irreversible changes in the light-scattering intensities or diffusion coefficients of the vesicles. Fusion was also measured by the fluorescence quenching which occurred when vesicles containing a covalently bound fluorophore, N -4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, were fused with vesicles containing the covalently bound spin label, 4,4-dimethyl-oxazolidine- N -oxyl. The kinetics of fusion were first order in phospholipid and had half-times of 0.5–5 min depending on lysolecithin composition. This protein-enhanced membrane fusion may provide a valuable model system for studying some types of biological membrane fusions.
The influence of nutrient-deprivation and parasitization by the insect parasite, Hyposoter exiguae on the total body lipid composition of Trichoplusia ni

Abstract 1. 1. The concentration of triglyceride in Trichoplusia ni larvae increased during larval development. 2. 2. In larvae parasitized late in the 3rd stadium by Hyposoter exiguae the concentration remained constant throughout the remainder of larval development. 3. 3. Partially starved larvae maintained from the late 3rd stadium on nutrient deficient media and displaying a pattern of growth similar to parasitized individuals became lipid depleted. 4. 4. The fatty acid composition of the neutral lipids was altered during development and the relative proportions of palmitic and oleic acids increased in both parasitized and unparasitized larvae. 5. 5. In contrast, the composition of nutrient deprived larvae had lower proportions of palmitic and oleic acids and higher levels of linoleic and linolenic acids. 6. 6. The results suggest that although the parasitized host does not accumulate lipid, active synthesis may be occurring. 7. 7. Nutrient-deprived larvae, however, appeared to be utilizing lipid as an energy source and thus became lipid depleted.
Unusually loud ambient noise in tidewater glacier fjords: A signal of ice melt

In glacierized fjords, the ice-ocean boundary is a physically and biologically dynamic environment that is sensitive to both glacier flow and ocean circulation. Ocean ambient noise offers insight into processes and change at the ice-ocean boundary. Here we characterize fjord ambient noise and show that the average noise levels are louder than nearly all measured natural oceanic environments (significantly louder than sea ice and nonglacierized fjords). Icy Bay, Alaska, has an annual average sound pressure level of 120 dB (referenced to 1 μPa) with a broad peak between 1000 and 3000 Hz. Bubble formation in the water column as glacier ice melts is the noise source, with variability driven by fjord circulation patterns. Measurements from two additional fjords, in Alaska and Antarctica, support that this unusually loud ambient noise in Icy Bay is representative of glacierized fjords. These high noise levels likely alter the behavior of marine mammals.
S&P Capital IQ

S&P Capital IQ is a financial information platform that was originally designed to address the needs of the investment banking community. With its focus on financial information and analysis for co...
Attempts to cure parakeet psittacosis carriers with aureomycin and penicillin.

Prevention of human psittacosis ultimately depends on eliminating carriers among the diverse avian species so highly treasured by bird lovers. Apparently healthy but virus-spreading birds maintain infection in breeding establishments and only too often bring the disease into the human household. Although experience has shown that the spontaneous carrier rate in commercial parakeet flocks is quite variable and frequently low ?2 to 5^o (Meyer and Eddie, 1947), the damage inflicted is by no means negligible. The livelihood of many people could be assured and protected provided they could offer for sale psittacine birds, pigeons and fowl free from the psittacosis agent. Ever since penicillin proved effective in the treatment of experimental and human clinical psittacosis (Meyer, 1949), efforts have been made to effect a cure in chronic infections. Invariably, irrespective of dose, intracellular parasites were not affected by antibiotic (Smadel and Jackson, 1948) or other drugs (Hurst, 1948; Meiklejohn et al, 1946; Early and Morgan, 1946). Virus could readily be isolated from the viscera by subinoculation with emulsified liver and spleen or kidney and intestinal content into mice.
Rapid effects of light and dark adaptation upon the receptive field organization of S-potentials and late receptor potentials

Abstract Since the late RP (receptor potential) of cones decays rapidly, while that of rods decays slowly, relative amplitudes of the rapid and slow decay phases indicate relative cone and rod contributions to a response from a mixed population of receptors. S-potentials of the cat are shown capable of following closely the form of either the cone or rod late RP. When evoked by a small centered stimulus, the S-potential is pure cone in form and does not change form between light and dark adaptation. In the light adapted state, increase of stimulus size increases the amplitude of the cone form of response. After only 2 min of dark adaptation, the same increase of stimulus size produces a predominantly rod form response and decreases the cone contribution elicited by the small centered stimulus. Thus the S-potential shows a dramatic and rapid change in the organization of its receptive field, during dark adaptation as well as light adaptation. Qualitatively similar results were then obtained by studying the local late RP from the peripheral retina of the cynomolgus monkey. Hence the receptors also have receptive fields, which must result from the late RP being influenced presynaptically by receptor interaction. The organization of the receptive field of the receptors likewise changes markedly and rapidly between light and dark adapted states. Hence there are rapid neural mechanisms of adaptation which influence both the late RP and S-potential, and which are probably fundamental to the rapid neural phases of dark and light adaptation. When using large stimulus spots, our results indicate that the cone late RP is suppressed by rod activity under dark adapted conditions, while the rod late RP is suppressed by cone activity after light adaptation. Thus our findings also give a basis for understanding why visual functions are so completely dominated by rods under dark adapted conditions, and by cones after light adaptation, a problem at the heart of the duplicity theory. The hypothesis is advanced that the S-potentials we have recorded are from horizontal cells, which mediate reciprocal lateral inhibition between cones and rods. This hypothesis is supported by several lines of evidence, and can account for the close functional relation demonstrated between the late RP and S-potential, in spite of crucial differences which show that the two responses are generated by separate cells.
Effect of estimated glomerular filtration rate and fluid balance on clinical course and outcomes of children admitted with severe dengue

Dengue fever is one of the most important seasonal epidemics in Asia Case fatality rates vary from 1 to 5% [1]. Mortality from severe dengue may range from 26% in DHF to as high as 47% in DSS [2,3]. The pathogenesis of shock in dengue fever (DF) is centered on increased capillary permeability in the critical phase leading to hypovolemia and shock in severe dengue. There have been multiple studies that compare fluid regimens in the management of dengue [4,5]. These studies do not assess the child's renal function and ability to handle the fluid loads. GFR <60 ml/minute indicates a significant decrease in the renal functioning and there are no pediatric studies that examine their association with in-hospital stay and outcomes in children with severe dengue. With this introduction we formulated this study protocol to examine that association. The objectives were to measure the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at admission and fluid balance in the first 36 hours of ICU stay and assess their effect on disease course and outcomes in severe dengue.
Work Analysis in Library Technical Services

ABSTRACT This article summarizes a workflow task analysis of technical services functions conducted at Southern Illinois University Carbon-dale's Morris Library during the 2005–2006 academic year. During the workflow analysis, procedures were identified that could be modified or eliminated, and awareness was raised about the role of the various sections. The task analysis documented current practices, revealed differences in the way faculty and civil-service staff members spent their time, and informed changes to staff work assignments.
The Majesty of Reason

In this paper I contemplate two phenomena that have impressed theorists concerned with the domain of reasons and of what is now called ‘normativity’. One is the much-discussed ‘externality’ of reasons. According to this, reasons are just there, anyway. They exist whether or not agents take any notice of them. They do not only exist in the light of contingent desires or mere inclinations. They are ‘external’ not ‘internal’. They bear on us, even when through ignorance or wickedness we take no notice of them. They thus very conspicuously shine the lights of objectivity, and independence, and even necessity. By basking in this light, ethics is rescued from the slough of sentiment and preference, and regains the dignity denied to it by theorists such as Hobbes or Hume, Williams, Gibbard or myself. Hence, many contemporary philosophers compete to stress and to extol the external nature of reasons, their shining objectivity. The other phenomenon is that of the inescapable ‘normativity’ of means-ends reasoning. Here the irrationality of intending an end but failing to intend the means is a different shining beacon. It is that of pure practical reason in operation: an indisputable norm, again showing a sublime indifference to whatever weaknesses people actually have, and ideally fitted to provide a Trojan horse for inserting rationality into practical life. If the means-end principle is both unmistakably practical and yet the darling child of rationality itself, then other principles of consistency or of humanity, or of universalizing the maxims of our action, can perhaps follow through the breach in the Humean citadel that it has spearheaded. And so we get the dazzling prospect that if people who choose badly are choosing against reason, then this can be seen to be a special and grave defect. It would locate the kind of fault they are indulging. It would give us, the people of reason, a special lever with which to dislodge their vices. Being able to herd knaves and villains in a compound reserved for those who trespass against reason and rationality therefore represents definite progress.
Feasibility issues in a primal-dual interior-point method for linear programming

A new method for obtaining an initial feasible interior-point solution to a linear program is presented. This method avoids the use of a "big-M", and is shown to work well on a standard set of test problems. Conditions are developed for obtaining a near-optimal solution that is feasible for an associated problem, and details of the computational testing are presented. Other issues related to obtaining and maintaining accurate feasible solutions to linear programs with an interior-point method are discussed. These issues are important to consider when solving problems that have no primal or dual interior-point feasible solutions.
Illegitimate recombination in Xenopus: characterization of end-joined junctions

When linear DNAs are injected into Xenopus laevis eggs, they are converted into several different kinds of recombination products. Some molecules undergo homologous recombination by a resection-annealing mechanism; some ends are precisely ligated; and some ends are joined by illegitimate means. The homologous and illegitimate products are also generated in nuclear extracts from stage VI Xenopus oocytes. In order to gain insight into the mechanism(s) of illegitimate end joining, we amplified, cloned and sequenced a number of junctions from eggs and from oocyte extracts. The egg junctions fell into three categories: some with no homology at the join point that may have been produced by blunt-end ligation; some based on small, but significant homologies (5-10 bp); and some with matches of only 1 or 2 nucleotides at the joint. Junctions made in oocyte extracts were largely of the latter type. In the extracts, formation of illegitimate joints required the addition of all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates and was inhibited by aphidicolin. This indicates that this process involves DNA synthesis, and mechanisms incorporating this feature are considered. The spectrum of recombination products formed in Xenopus eggs is very reminiscent of those produced from DNA introduced into mammalian cells.
A Stimulation-Dependent Alternate Core Promoter Links Lymphotoxin α Expression with TGF-β1 and Fibroblast Growth Factor-7 Signaling in Primary Human T Cells

Lymphotoxin (LT)-α regulates many biologic activities, yet little is known of the regulation of its gene. In this study, the contribution to LTA transcriptional regulation of the region between the transcription and translation start sites (downstream segment) was investigated. The LTA downstream segment was found to be required for, and alone to be sufficient for, maximal transcriptional activity in both T and B lymphocytes. The latter observation suggested that an alternate core promoter might be present in the downstream segment. Characterization of LTA mRNAs isolated from primary and from transformed human T cells under different stimulation conditions identified eight unique transcript variants (TVs), including one ( LTA TV8) that initiated within a polypyrimidine tract near the 3′ end of the downstream segment. Further investigation determined that the LTA downstream segment alternate core promoter that produces the LTA TV8 transcript most likely consists of a stimulating protein 1 binding site and an initiator element and that factors involved in transcription initiation (stimulating protein 1, TFII-I, and RNA polymerase II) bind to this LTA region in vivo. Interestingly, the LTA downstream segment alternate core promoter was active only after specific cellular stimulation and was the major promoter used when human T cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 and fibroblast growth factor-7. Most importantly, this study provides evidence of a direct link for crosstalk between T cells and epithelial/stromal cells that has implications for LT signaling by T cells in the cooperative regulation of various processes typically associated with TGF-βR and fibroblast growth factor-R2 signaling.
Convective-Scale Variations in the Inner-Core Rainbands of a Tropical Cyclone

Airborne Doppler radar documented a variety of convective-scale structures within the inner-core rainbands of Hurricane Rita (2005). As predicted by past studies, wind shear determined azimuthal variations in the convection. All convective-scale circulations had radial inflow at low levels, upward motion, and outflow in the midtroposphere. Convective cells at smaller radii contained a low-level tangential jet determined largely by tangential acceleration due to angular momentum conservation (uy/r term), while cells at larger radii contained a low-level and/or midlevel jet determined jointly by the uy/r and vertical advection terms. The outflow was at a higher (lower) altitude for the outer (inner) cells. Radial variations in the convective cells are attributable to differencesin buoyancy and vertical shear of the radial wind (›u/›z). More buoyant updrafts at larger radii enhance vertical advection of y, creating local tangential jets at midlevels. At smaller radii the stronger low-level radial inflow contributes to a greater›u/›z, confining convectively generated jets to low levels. The low-level tangential jet and convectively generated pressure gradients produce outward-pointing supergradient acceleration that decelerates the boundary layer inflow. Consequently, this supergradient flow will enhance convergence and convection at the radius of inner rainbandcells, increasing the likelihoodof secondary eyewall formation. It is hypothesized that a critical zone for secondary eyewall formation exists where sufficiently high ›u/›z consistently constrains the altitudes of convectively generated supergradient flow so that convection in this radial zone leads to a newly developed eyewall. Once an incipient secondary eyewall forms at a certain radius, subsidence occurring along its inner edge separates it from the primary eyewall.
Bounding sequence numbers in distributed systems: a general approach

The authors present a general methodology for bounding the range of sequence numbers utilized in a distributed program to order events. This methodology requires explicit knowledge of bounds on the rate at which processes may increment sequence numbers and the time required to transmit a message. It may also require the inclusion of additional synchronization in a distributed application which utilizes the bounded sequence numbers. The methodology is demonstrated in three contexts. It is shown how a scheme for bounding sequence numbers on requests for network mutual exclusion is consistent with the methodology. Sequence numbers are bound in a network mutual exclusion protocol. The methodology is utilized to bound the size of sequence numbers used in successive fault-tolerant broadcasts among a group of fail-stop processors. In all three cases, with totally different message-passing patterns and means of incrementing sequence numbers, consistent application of the methodology is stressed. >
Translational advances in urologic cancer

The ultimate goal of discovery in cancer is to generate knowledge that can be exploited to treat the disease more effectively. The past few years have seen a dramatic application of this paradigm in the field of kidney cancer. The discovery of the Von Hippel Lindau disease gene by Drs. Marston Linehan, Berton Zbar, and colleagues at the NCI led rapidly to a fundamental understanding of the biological basis of sporadic kidney cancer. These studies uncovered the central role of hypoxia in stimulating new blood vessel formation in this disease. These advances have now been translated into multiple effective therapies for this disease, which are rapidly transforming the management of this disease. Dr. Robert Uzzo from Fox Chase Cancer Center provided the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) with a superb lecture covering these advances and their role in the management of kidney cancer. Although our depth of knowledge of prostate and bladder cancer has arguably not yet reached the level of understanding achieved in renal cancer, major advances in the study of these tumors, many of which were presented at the SUO meeting, have led to the initiation of multiple preclinical and clinical studies of targeted therapies in these diseases as well. Drs. Martin Gleave and Colin Dinney, of the University of British Columbia and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, respectively, provided illuminating talks covering many of these studies. All three surgeon-scientists have provided summaries of their SUO talks for publication in this issue of Urologic Oncology. We thank them for their efforts.
Peanut and cowpea meals as a replacement for wheat flour in cake-type doughnuts.

Abstract Meals processed from partially defatted peanuts, untoasted and toasted, and from dry cowpeas were used to replace wheat flour at 10, 20, and 30% levels in cake-type buttermilk doughnuts. The legume meals were darker and larger in particle size than wheat flour and produced batters with a “grainy” appearance. With the exception of untoasted peanut meal at the 30% level which produced a sticky batter that was difficult to cut, the legume and 100% wheat flour control batters were well suited to mechanical cutting, dispensing, and frying. Legume meal batters produced fewer doughnuts per batch, of higher average weight, than control batters. Gardner color values of doughnuts were influenced more by the addition of toasted peanut meal than by the other test meals. Sensory quality scores for appearance, color, aroma, texture, and flavor were acceptable for control and test doughnuts, indicating that peanut and cowpea meals are compatible ingredients for use in this type of bakery product. Techniques to ...
Electrophysiological Control of Reversed Ciliary Beating in Paramecium

Quantitative relations between ciliary reversal and membrane responses were examined in electrically stimulated paramecia. Specimens bathed in 1 mM CaCl2, 1 mM KCl, and 1 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, were filmed at 250 frames per second while depolarizing current pulses were injected. At current intensities producing only electrotonic shifts the cilia failed to respond. Stimuli which elicited a regenerative response were followed by a period of reversed ciliary beating. With increasing stimulus intensities the latency of ciliary reversal dropped from 30 to 4 ms or less, and the duration of reversal increased from 50 ms to 2.4 s or more; the corresponding regenerative responses increased in amplitude and rate of rise. With progressively larger intracellular positive pulses, electric stimulation became less effective, producing responses with a progressive increase in latency and decrease in duration of reversed beating of the cilia. When 100-ms pulses shifted the membrane potential to +70 mV or more, ciliary reversal was suppressed until the end of the pulse. "Off" responses then occurred with a latency of 2–4 ms independent of further increases in positive potential displacement. These results suggest that ciliary reversal is coupled to membrane depolarization by the influx of ions which produces the regenerative depolarization of the surface membrane. According to this view suppression of the ciliary response during stimulation occurs when the membrane potential approaches the equilibrium potential of the coupling ion, thereby retarding its influx. Previous data together with the present findings suggest that this ion is Ca2+.
Offshore outsourcing of software development and maintenance: a framework for issues

Abstract Frameworks intended for identifying and organizing issues associated with offshore outsourcing of software development have focused on project or site selection. Existing frameworks are not comprehensive because they do not fully address one or more of the following issues: (1) the relationship between project characteristics and site suitability, (2) financial and intellectual property issues in the context of software development, and (3) the role of agents outside the outsourcing and vendor firms in the offshore outsourcing process. To overcome these limitations, we propose a more comprehensive framework that links projects (which require resource) and sites (which possess resources). It also includes environmental agents whose actions affect resource availability at the sites. The framework serves as an useful tool to systematically address the issues that arise in the context of offshore outsourcing of software development. We use the framework to review and classify existing literature.