cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of hair bundle shape on hair bundle hydrodynamics of inner ear hair cells at low and high frequencies

Abstract The relationship between size and shape of the hair bundle of a hair cell in the inner ear and its sensitivity at asymptotically high and low frequencies was determined, thereby extending the results of an analysis of hair bundle hydrodynamics in two dimensions (Freeman and Weiss, 1990. Hydrodynamic analysis of a two-dimensional model for micromechanical resonance of free-standing hair bundles. Hear. Res. 48, 37–68) to three dimensions. A hemispheroid was used to represent the hair bundle. The hemispheroid had a number of advantages: it could represent shapes that range from thin, pencil-like shapes, to wide, flat, disk-like shapes. Also analytic methods could be used in the high frequency range to obtain an exact solution to the equations of motion. In the low frequency range, where an approximate solution was found using boundary element methods, the sensitivity of the responses of hair cells was mainly proportional to the cube of the heights of their hair bundles, and at high frequencies, the sensitivity of the hair cells was mainly proportional to the inverse of their heights. An excellent match was obtained between measurements of sensitivity curves in the basillar papilla of the alligator and bobtail lizards and the model’s predictions. These results also suggest why hair bundles of hair cells in vestibular organs which are sensitive to low frequencies have ranges of heights that are an order of magnitude larger than the range of heights of hair bundles of hair cells found in auditory organs.
Effect of biostimulation on the microbial community in PCB-contaminated sediments through periodic amendment of sediment with iron.

Reductive dehalogenation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by indigenous dehalorespiring microorganisms in contaminated sediments may be enhanced via biostimulation by supplying hydrogen generated through the anaerobic corrosion of elemental iron added to the sediment. In this study, the effect of periodic amendment of sediment with various dosages of iron on the microbial community present in sediment was investigated using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) over a period of 18 months. Three PCB-contaminated sediments (two freshwater lake sediments and one marine sediment) were used. Signature biomarker analysis of the microbial community present in all three sediments revealed the enrichment of Dehalococcoides species, the population of which was sustained for a longer period of time when the sediment microcosms were amended with the lower dosage of iron (0.01 g iron per g dry sediment) every 6 months as compared to the blank system (without iron). Lower microbial stress levels were reported for the system periodically amended with 0.01 g of iron per g dry sediment every 6 months, thus reducing the competition from other hydrogen-utilizing microorganisms like methanogens, iron reducers, and sulfate reducers. The concentration of hydrogen in the system was found to be an important factor influencing the shift in microbial communities in all sediments with time. Periodic amendment of sediment with larger dosages of iron every 3 months resulted in the early prevalence of Geobacteraceae and sulfate-reducing bacteria followed by methanogens. An average pH of 8.4 (range of 8.2–8.6) and an average hydrogen concentration of 0.75% (range of 0.3–1.2%) observed between 6 and 15 months of the study were found to be conducive to sustaining the population of Dehalococcoides species in the three sediments amended with 0.01 g iron per g dry sediment. Biostimulation of indigenous PCB dechlorinators by the periodic amendment of contaminated sediments with low dosages of iron metal may therefore be an effective technology for remediation of PCB-contaminated sediments.
A purified subfragment of yeast Atp11p retains full molecular chaperone activity.

Atp11p is a molecular chaperone of the mitochondrial matrix that participates in the biogenesis pathway to form F1, the catalytic unit of the ATP synthase. Affinity tag pull-down assays and yeast two-hybrid screens have shown that Atp11p binds to free β subunits of F1 (Wang, Z. G., and Ackerman, S. H. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 5767–5772). This binding action prevents the β subunit from associating with itself in non-productive complexes and fosters the formation of a (αβ)3 hexamer. Following the premise that Atp11p action is mediated primarily through a surface (as opposed to specific amino acids, as in an enzyme active site), solving its three-dimensional structure so that we may learn how the shape of the protein influences its function is a high priority. Recombinant yeast Atp11p has proven refractory for such analysis because of the presence of a disordered region in the protein. In this article, we show that removal of 67 residues from the amino terminus of recombinant Atp11p yields a subfragment of the protein (called Atp11pTRNC) that retains molecular chaperone function as determined in vitro with both a surrogate substrate (reduced insulin) and the natural substrate (F1 β). Moreover, preliminary 15N-1H heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra obtained with Atp11pTRNC indicate that the truncated protein is well ordered and amenable to structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance.
Merging Query Results From Local Search Engines for Georeferenced Objects

The emergence of numerous online sources about local services presents a need for more automatic yet accurate data integration techniques. Local services are georeferenced objects and can be queried by their locations on a map, for instance, neighborhoods. Typical local service queries (e.g., “French Restaurant in The Loop”) include not only information about “what” (“French Restaurant”) a user is searching for (such as cuisine) but also “where” information, such as neighborhood (“The Loop”). In this article, we address three key problems: query translation, result merging and ranking. Most local search engines provide a (hierarchical) organization of (large) cities into neighborhoods. A neighborhood in one local search engine may correspond to sets of neighborhoods in other local search engines. These make the query translation challenging. To provide an integrated access to the query results returned by the local search engines, we need to combine the results into a single list of results.Our contributions include: (1) An integration algorithm for neighborhoods. (2) A very effective business listing resolution algorithm. (3) A ranking algorithm that takes into consideration the user criteria, user ratings and rankings. We have created a prototype system, Yumi, over local search engines in the restaurant domain. The restaurant domain is a representative case study for the local services. We conducted a comprehensive experimental study to evaluate Yumi. A prototype version of Yumi is available online.
Inlet-Fan Flow Field Computation

The flow field of a tilt-nacelle inlet-fan combination used for V/STOL aircraft is studied. Under certain flight conditions the inlet is subjected to high angles of attack and/or yaw. This produces a non-uniform or distorted flow field at the fan-face that can lead to large blade stresses. This paper presents an analytical approach to the coupled inlet-fan problem. The nacelle is modelled by a distribution of source panels and the fan by a distribution of radial vortices. A modified actuator disc with losses and a quasi-steady rotor response is used to derive the boundary condition at the fan-face. An example of the calculation is shown.
The Art and Science of Weed Mapping

Land managers need cost-effective and informative tools for non-native plant species management. Many local, state, and federal agencies adopted mapping systems designed to collect comparable data for the early detection and monitoring of non-native species. We compared mapping information to statistically rigorous, plot-based methods to better understand the benefits and compatibility of the two techniques. Mapping non-native species locations provided a species list, associated species distributions, and infested area for subjectively selected survey sites. The value of this information may be compromised by crude estimates of cover and incomplete or biased estimations of species distributions. Incorporating plot-based assessments guided by a stratified-random sample design provided a less biased description of non-native species distributions and increased the comparability of data over time and across regions for the inventory, monitoring, and management of non-native and native plant species.
Influence of residency training on occupational medicine practice patterns.

Objectives: A relatively high proportion of occupational medicine (OM) specialists have not had formal residency training in OM. Members of the Western Occupational and Environmental Medicine Association, a professional organization of OM specialists, completed a postal questionnaire (160 of 561 members). Methods: Educational background, practice setting, practice activities, and skills considered relevant were compared between those with and without formal training. Results: Both groups had considerable focus in clinical care, musculoskeletal medicine, and workers' compensation. However, those with formal training practice in a broader variety of settings were less likely to have practiced another specialty, and used additional skills (toxicology, industrial hygiene, and epidemiology) in their practices. Formal education appears to create a greater diversity of skills and opportunities, but it does not appear to create a group of physicians disinterested in “front-line” occupational medicine practice. Conclusions: The data support the need for formal residency programs but also highlight the importance of access to formal training for midcareer physicians.
On graphs whose Laplacian matrix's multipartite separability is invariant under graph isomorphism

Normalized Laplacian matrices of graphs have recently been studied in the context of quantum mechanics as density matrices of quantum systems. Of particular interest is the relationship between quantum physical properties of the density matrix and the graph theoretical properties of the underlying graph. One important aspect of density matrices is their entanglement properties, which are responsible for many nonintuitive physical phenomena. The entanglement property of normalized Laplacian matrices is in general not invariant under graph isomorphism. In recent papers, graphs were identified whose entanglement and separability properties are invariant under isomorphism. The purpose of this note is to completely characterize the set of graphs whose separability is invariant under graph isomorphism. In particular, we show that this set consists of K"2","2 and its complement, all complete graphs and no other graphs.
SEARCHING FOR THE TEXTS OF TREATIES

IN the library of the United Nations at Lake Success we are often asked to find in print the texts of treaties and other international instruments. This kind of work is also important in many of the libraries of the foreign offices of national governments and in those of institutes for the study of international affairs. Occasional requests of this kind must also be received by many other libraries.
The effect of point-of-care ultrasonography on imaging studies in the medical ICU: a comparative study

BACKGROUND:Point-of-care ultrasonography performed by frontline intensivists offers the possibility of reducing the use of traditional imaging in the medical ICU (MICU). We compared the use of traditional radiographic studies between two MICUs: one where point-of-care ultrasonography is used as a primary imaging modality, the other where it is used only for procedure guidance. METHODS:This study was a retrospective 3-month chart review comparing the use of chest radiographs, CT scans (chest and abdomen/pelvis), transthoracic echocardiography performed by the cardiology service, and DVT ultrasonography studies performed by the radiology service between two MICUs of similar size and acuity and staffing levels. RESULTS:Total number of admissions, patient demographics, and disease acuity were similar between MICUs. Comparing the non-point-of-care ultrasonography MICU with the point-of-care ultrasonography MICU, there were 3.75 ± 4.6 vs 0.82 ± 1.85 (P< .0001) chest radiographs per patient, 0.10 ± 0.31 vs 0.04 ± 0.20 (P= .0007) chest CT scans per patient, 0.17 ± 0.44 vs 0.05 ± 0.24 (P< .0001) abdomen/pelvis CT scans per patient, 0.20 ± 0.47 vs 0.02 ± 0.14 (P< .0001) radiology service-performed DVT studies per patient, and 0.18 ± 0.40 vs 0.07 ± 0.26 (P< .0001) cardiology service-performed transthoracic echocardiography studies per patient, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The use of point-of-care ultrasonography in an MICU is associated with a significant reduction in the number of imaging studies performed by the radiology and cardiology services.
Dissonance Theory Revisited Perception of Environmental Hazards in Residential Areas

Two hypotheses derived from cognitive dissonance theory have been proposed to account for differing residential threat perceptions obtained in the wake of the occurrence of environmental disasters. One of these hypotheses predicts a dissonance-induced, threat denial response on the part of residents directly affected by an environmental hazard. The second hypothesis proposed by Festinger (1957) predicts a "threat enhancement response" from persons inhabiting areas not affected by an environmental hazard. The present survey investigation tested each of these hypotheses in the aftermath of a violent, "gangland style" explosion of an automobile in a residential area, The threat perceptions of residents of three apartment complexes differentially affected by the event were obtained by structured interviews. Evidence supportive of the presence of a threat enhancement response emerged, but no evidence for a threat denial response was obtained. The results were discussed in terms of the sufficient conditions nec...
Size-Dependent Deformation and Adsorption Behavior of Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, and Carbon on Pyramidal Copper Clusters

Density functional calculations are implemented to study the interaction of CO, H, and C with a sequential growth of Cu clusters with a special structure (5 ≤ n ≤ 140, where n is the number of atoms). The cohesive energy Ec and average bond length dave of the relaxed Cu clusters increase monotonically as the layer number of the clusters l increases. The adsorption energy Ead values have a sequence of C/Cu < H/Cu < CO/Cu (adsorbate/substrate). The Ead(l) functions are found to be parabola-like for all adsorption systems, with the maximum values at l = 5−6 where dave ≈ 2.56 A, which is approximately equal to the atomic distance of Cu in bulk crystals. The binding strength between the adsorbate and substrate, or −Ead(l), is inversely proportional to their corresponding bond length d.
Terrorism and Tourism in Developed versus Developing Countries

This paper compares the effect of terrorism on the tourism industry in developing and developed countries. Analysis of a cross-sectional data set of 60 countries supports the hypothesis that terror...
GaAs PCSS: high-gain switching and device reliability

Characteristics of GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS) during the initiation and sustaining phases of high gain switching are studied in this paper. Infrared electro-photo luminescence data are present which show current filaments during high gain switching mode. Triggering of these devices with multiple fiber optics is demonstrated and the implications for high average current density switching are discussed. Switch jitter with high field lateral PCSS has been tested and its impact on multiswitch systems is explored. Results from high repetition rate device lifetime testing are also reported. Lateral switches with several types of contacts (including: refractory metallizations, diffused and ion-implanted Ohmic layers) have been fabricated and tested. Switch characteristics and lifetime results will be discussed for each of these fabrication schemes.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
In-vitro study of calcium-45 and phosphorus-32 uptake in developing rat molar enamel using quantitative methods

Abstract In-vitro quantitative studies were conducted on rat molar tooth expiants to determine the effect of the enamel organ on enamel mineralization during the secretory phase of formation. Control explants were compared to contralateral pairs which had (1) the enamel organ removed, (2) heat-treatment, or (3) treatment with the metabolic inhibitor dinitrophenol (DNP). Removal of the enamel organ enhanced enamel mineralization and 45 Ca exchange with the enamel. Heat-treatment altered the enamel matrix to increase Ca uptake. DNP inhibited mineralization but increased 45 Ca exchange through the enamel organ. The findings suggest that the enamel organ controls Ca flux into the forming enamel during the secretory phase and slows the rate of mineralization.
Untimely Development, Ugly History: A Drama in Muslin and the Rejection of National-Historical Time

This article considers the politics and aesthetics of the colonial Bildungsroman by reading George Moore’s often-overlooked novel A Drama in Muslin (1886). It argues that the colonial Bildungsroman does not simply register difference from the metropolitan novel of development or express tension between the core and periphery, as Jed Esty suggests, but rather can imagine a heterogeneous historical time that does not find its end in the nation-state. A Drama in Muslin combines naturalist and realist modes, and moves between Ireland and England to construct a form of untimely development that emphasises political processes (dissent, negotiation) rather than political forms (the state, the nation). Ultimately, the messy, discordant history represented in the novel shows the political potential of anachronism as it celebrates the untimeliness of everyday life.
Selective Use of Computed Tomography Compared With Routine Whole Body Imaging in Patients With Blunt Trauma

Study objective Routine pan–computed tomography (CT, including of the head, neck, chest, abdomen/pelvis) has been advocated for evaluation of patients with blunt trauma based on the belief that early detection of clinically occult injuries will improve outcomes. We sought to determine whether selective imaging could decrease scan use without missing clinically important injuries. Methods This was a prospective observational study of 701 patients with blunt trauma at an academic trauma center. Before scanning, the most senior emergency physician and trauma surgeon independently indicated which components of pan-CT were necessary. We calculated the proportion of scans deemed unnecessary that: (a) were abnormal and resulted in a pre-defined critical action or (b) were abnormal. Results Pan-CT was performed in 600 of the patients; the remaining 101 underwent limited scanning. One or both physicians indicated a willingness to omit 35% of the individual scans. An abnormality was present in 18% of scans, including 22% of desired scans and 10% of undesired scans. Among the 95 patients who had one of the 102 undesired scans with abnormal results, 3 underwent a predefined critical action. There is disagreement among the authors about the clinical significance of the abnormalities found on the 99 undesired scans that did not lead to a critical action. Conclusion Selective scanning could reduce the number of scans, missing some injuries but few critical ones. The clinical importance of injuries missed on undesired scans was subject to individual interpretation, which varied substantially among authors. This difference of opinion serves as a microcosm of the larger debate on appropriate use of expensive medical technologies.
Regulation of the membrane-localized prostaglandin E synthases mPGES-1 and mPGES-2 in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts

The proinflammatory mediator cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and its product PGE2 are induced in the ischemic heart, contributing to inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroblast proliferation, and cardiac hyp...
The electroneutral sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter containing an amino terminal 123-amino-acid cassette is expressed predominantly in the heart.

In this study, we examined the tissue-specific expression of two electroneutral Na/HCO3 cotransporter (NBCn1) variants that differ from each other by the presence of the N-terminal 123 amino acids (cassette II). A rat Northern blot with the probe to nucleotides encoding cassette II detected a 9 kb NBCn1 mRNA strongly in the heart and weakly in skeletal muscles, but absent from most of the tissues including kidney, brain, and pancreas. In the rat heart, PCR with primers flanking cassette II preferentially amplified a DNA fragment that lacked cassette II. However, in the human heart, PCR preferentially amplified a fragment that contained cassette II. This larger PCR product was found virtually in all regions of the human cardiovascular system with strong amplification in the apex, atrium, and atrioventricular nodes. These findings indicate that the variant containing cassette II is almost absent in tissues including brain, kidney, and pancreas, where NBCn1 has been extensively examined.
B7-CTLA4 interaction promotes cognate destruction of tumor cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo.

Costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 (hereby collectively called B7) interact with CD28 and CTLA4 on T cells and promote antitumor immunity. The function of B7-CTLA4 interaction in antitumor CTL response remains controversial. Here we used CD28−/− and CD28+/− or CD28+/+ transgenic mice that express the T-cell receptor specific for an unmutated tumor antigen, P1A, and for tumor cells expressing a CTLA4-specific B7 mutant to evaluate the function of CD28-B7 and CTLA4-B7 interactions in induction and effector phases of antitumor immunity. We report that B7-CD28 and B7-CTLA4 interactions promote tumor rejection. However, this is achieved by distinct mechanisms. B7-CD28 interaction enhances T-cell clonal expansion, though a role for this interaction in the effector phase cannot be ruled out. In contrast, B7-CTLA4 interaction enhances the CTL-mediated destruction of tumors, but not T-cell clonal expansion.
Multistate reliability models

Most of the reliability literature deals with binary systems of binary components in which the only two states are functioning or failed. In this article two types of multistate coherent system (MCS) have been introduced. Various properties of our definitions are studied. The relationship between our definitions of MCS and other definitions of MCS in the literature are discussed.
Early Bacillus anthracis–macrophage interactions: intracellular survival and escape

This study describes early intracellular events occurring during the establishment phase of Bacillus anthracis infections. Anthrax infections are initiated by dormant endospores gaining access to the mammalian host and becoming engulfed by regional macrophages (Mphi). During systemic anthrax, late stage events include vegetative growth in the blood to very high titres and the synthesis of the anthrax exotoxin complex, which causes disease symptoms and death. Experiments focus on the early events occurring during the first few hours of the B. anthracis infectious cycle, from endospore germination up to and including release of the vegetative cell from phagocytes. We found that newly vegetative bacilli escape from the phagocytic vesicles of cultured Mphi and replicate within the cytoplasm of these cells. Release from the Mphi occurs 4-6 h after endospore phagocytosis, timing that correlates with anthrax infection of test animals. Genetic analysis from this study indicates that the toxin plasmid pXO1 is required for release from the Mphi, whereas the capsule plasmid pXO2 is not. The transactivator atxA, located on pXO1, is also found to be essential for release, but the toxin genes themselves are not required. This suggests that Mphi release of anthrax bacilli is atxA regulated. The putative 'escape' genes may be located on the chromosome and/or on pXO1.
The Perception of Personal Control: Sufficiently Important to Warrant Careful Scrutiny

Carver et al. propose that expecting a desired outcome is more important than the perception of personal control over that outcome in predicting distress among individuals facing threatening circumstances. They support this hypothesis through an analysis of data from two studies of women with early stage breast cancer. This article turns to the existing empirical literature, to recent theories of adjustment to serious illness, and to the methods employed in the Carver et al. studies to comment on their proposal. The authors conclude that an adequate comparison of how expectancies and control perceptions contribute to the adjustment of individuals in threatening situations will require more attention to the selection of research participants, the appropriate time frame for such studies, and measurement strategies.
Freezing of lactic cultures.

Abstract Conditions influencing the survival of frozen single-strain and mixed-strain, multiple-type lactic cultures were studied. Rates of freezing and thawing indicated that fast freezing followed by fast thawing resulted in greatest survival. Cultures grown at 26 to 32 C had significantly greater activities after 4 wk of storage at −20 C than cultures grown at 15 or 21 C. Yeast extract, glycerol, and N-Z Amine A were superior to sucrose, dimethyl sulfoxide, egg white, and egg albumen in protecting the cells against freezing damage at −20 C. Additives, pH of cultures, and prior growth temperature had little effect upon survival of cultures stored at −196 C. Results of experiments with Cheddar cheese indicate the usefulness of freezing and storing cultures at −196 C.
Age- and Chamber-Specific Differences in Oxidative Stress After Ischemic Injury

Each year, tens of thousands of children undergo cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to correct congenital heart defects. Although necessary for surgery, CPB involves stopping the heart and exposing it to ischemic conditions. On reoxygenation, the heart can experience effects similar to that of acute myocardial infarction. Although much is known about adult injury, little is known about the effects of global ischemia on newborn ventricles. We studied newborn (2 to 4 days old) and adult (>8 weeks old) rabbit hearts subjected to ischemia–reperfusion (30 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion). Our data demonstrated chamber- and age-specific changes in oxidative stress. During ischemia, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased in both right-ventricular (RV) and left-ventricular (LV) myocytes of the newborn, although only the RV change was significant. In contrast, there was no significant increase in H2O2 in either RV or LV myocytes of adults. There was a fivefold increase in H2O2 formation in newborn RV myocytes compared with adults (P = 0.006). In whole-heart tissue, superoxide dismutase activity increased from sham versus ischemia in the left ventricle of both adult and newborn hearts, but it was increased only in the right ventricle of the newborn heart. Catalase activity was significantly increased after ischemia in both adult ventricles, whereas no increase was seen in newborn compared with sham hearts. In addition, catalase levels in newborns were significantly lower, indicating less scavenging potential. Nanoparticle-encapsulated ebselen, given as an intracardiac injection into the right or left ventricle of newborn hearts, significantly increased functional recovery of developed pressure only in the right ventricle, indicating the potential for localized antioxidant therapy during and after pediatric surgical procedures.
An approximate formula for recalescence in binary eutectic alloys

In alloys, solidification takes place along various paths which may be ascertained via phase diagrams; while there would be no single formula applicable to all alloys, an approximate formula for a specific solidification path would be useful in estimating the fraction of the solid formed during recalescence. A formulation is here presented of recalescence in binary eutectic alloys. This formula is applied to Ag-Cu alloys which are of interest in containerless solidification, due to their formation of supersaturated solutions.
Variations in Appendage Setal Counts in Zoea Larvae of Four Porcellanid Crabs (Decapoda Anomura) From Oregon 1 )

Les variations en nombre des soies presentes sur les deux paires de maxilles et sur les maxillipedes des larves zoe 1 et zoe II ont ete analysees chez les anomoures porcellanides Petrolisthes eriomerus, Petrolisthes cinctipes, Pachycheles pubescens et Parhycheles rudis, de la cote de l'Oregon. L'asymetrie du nombre de soies sur les maxilles droites et gauches etait frequente mais les differences entre la droite et la gauche n'etaient statistiquement significatives pour aucun stade zoe, quelle que fut l'espece. Les echelles de variations du nombre de soies se chevauchent pour chaque paire d'especes d'un meme genre, pour les deux stades zoe, de meme que les echelles de variations des deux genres. Les formules setales ne caracterisent pas les especes, et ne separent pas clairement les genres. Chez les deux especes de Petrolisthes, les differences trouvees entre les frequences des nombres de soies n'etaient pas statistiquement significatives pour la plupart des lobes des maxilles et des groupes de soies des maxillipedes. Les differences dans les frequences des nombres de soies entre les genres etaient significatives dans la plupart des cas. Il est necessaire d'effectueur les denombrements sur un nombre suffisant d'echantillons pour fournir des descriptions precises des larves de crustaces, et l'importance de l'echantillonnage devrait etre indiquee, ainsi que la variation des nombres de soies. Des donnees suffisantes sur les nombres de soies et leurs variations peuvent etre d'utilite dans les etudes employant des methodes de taxonomie numerique.
Differences in vascular response to thromboxane between intestinal mucosa and muscularis

Abstract The effects of a thromboxane A2 (TxA 2 )-endoperoxide analogue, U-44069 (0.16 μg/min. i.a.) on blood flows to the total wall, the mucosal ( = mucosa + submucosa), and muscularis ( = muscularis + serosa) layers of the canine jejunum, were determined utilizing radio-labelled microspheres (diam = 13.75 μm). U-44069 significantly decreased total (−64 ± 5%), mucosal (−67 ± 5%), and muscularis (−53 ± 6%) blood flows in the natural flow preparation. In the constant flow preparation, U-44069 increased jejunal vascular resistance from (2.02 ± 0.27 to 4.6 ± 0.65 mmHg/ml/min/100g and increased mucosal and muscularis vascular resistace by 3.5-fold and 1.5-fold, respectively. As a result, it decreased mucosal blood flow (−19 ± 5%), but increased muscularis blood flow (+52 ± 10%). The magnitude of U-44069-induced percent change in mucosal blood flow was significantly different from that of the muscularis. Furthermore, U-44069 significantly redistributed the total jejunal blood flow in favor of the muscularis in both natural and constant flow preparations. Intra-arterial administration of a TxA 2 receptor antagonist, SQ-29548 (2.0 μg i.a.) reversed all of the above U-44069-induced blood flow changes to control values. Our study indicates that TxA 2 produces a significantly greater vasoconstriction in the mucosa than in the muscularis of the canine jejunum. This differential action of TxA 2 may have some physiological and pathophysiological significance.
Equity and Strategy in Union Retirement Policy

Summary Unions have been much concerned with retirement policy. Pensions are valued by the members and, at the same time, aid union security and bargaining effectiveness. While the new programs have been drafted in a context of economic emergency, there is no reason to believe that in their main outlines they are but temporary expedients. Some recent internal union tensions over the subject have been transitional in nature, but others promise to be more permanent. The integration of pension and retirement policy with other major union programs remains to be worked out. And only experience will enable the memberships to digest the cost-benefits implications of the new retirement programs and to make the adjustments most consistent with internal political reality.
Numerical investigation of receptivity to freestream vorticity

The receptivity to freestream vorticity of the boundary layer over a flat plate with an elliptic leading edge is studied numerically. A finite-difference scheme that is second-order accurate in both time and space is utilized to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes system in general curvilinear coordinates with the vorticity and stream function as dependent variables. Simulations show, for the conditions considered, a linear variation in the Tollmien-Schlichting response with forcing amplitude for perturbations of freestream velocity that are either symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the basic state stagnation streamline.
STRUCTURAL CHANGES RELATED TO PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVITY IN CELLS AND CHLOROPLASTS.

Abstract The discovery that spinach chloroplasts and mitochondria in vitro manifest structural changes which are closely governed by phosphorylation reactions prompted the present investigation in light-grown cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum . Cells of R. rubrum and spinach chloroplasts both manifest light-scattering increases with red-light illumination under conditions for cyclic photophosphorylation. The scattering changes are reversible in both systems by removal of the actinic light. Dark-grown cells of R. rubrum cannot undergo reversible structural changes but light-grown cells and chromatophores isolated from light-grown cells can give rise to these structural changes under conditions of phosphorylation. The requirements for scattering responses in R. rubrum and chloroplasts are compared and the action of certain inhibitory substances are described. A hypothesis is presented and discussed concerning the coupling of energy-transfer systems to membrane structure in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and photosynthetic bacteria. The findings suggest a general requirement of a membrane for mechano-chemical changes linked to phosphorylation reactions.
Chicken cardiac myoglobin revisited

Abstract The primary structure of chicken myoglobin was reinvestigated. Dansyl-Edman sequence analysis and overlapping enzymic peptides identified at eleven positions residues differing from the previously published sequence (Deconinck et al., 1975, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 386, 567–575).
New criteria for blind adaptive arrays

An alternative methodology for blind adaptive array processing is presented which generalizes the class of cost functions that are currently used. The methodology is based on the separation of independent, but not necessarily identically distributed, statistical components at the array output. Sufficient admissibility criteria are presented for blind adaptive array processing cost functions and examples based on the magnitude of complex, standardized cumulants as well as on order statistics are provided. In addition, a simple procedure for devising new candidate cost functions is discussed that can easily incorporate any available statistical information regarding the specific signal/interference environment of interest. >
A finite element model for shells based on the discrete Kirchhoff hypothesis

A ring type finite element model based on the discrete Kirchhoff hypothesis is developed and its feasibility for use in shell analysis is illustrated by determining the linear axisymmetric deformation behaviour of a conical shell loaded by lateral pressure. The displacement field is represented by a linear function of the meridional co-ordinate. The effects of coupling between bending and extension are included and in this respect the analysis is an extension of earlier work by other investigators using this same model, where bending deformations only were considered. The results of the investigation indicate that the proposed model is capable of accurately described coupled bending and extension effects with a relatively small number of elements. In addition to the numerical results obtained several distinct advantages and disadvantages of this element are brought out. In particular, the element stiffness coefficients can be easily derived because of the simplicity of the assumed vector field. However, it appears that the price paid for such a simple vector field approximation is an undue amount of machine storage, even for a relatively small number of elements. Several suggestions are made for minimizing some of these difficulties.
Historical Roots of Modern Tornado Forecasts and Warnings

Abstract Although accounts of tornadoes occurred in ancient writings, few paid much attention to nature’s most violent windstorm until the United States Army Signal Corps’s John Park Finley began writing about tornadoes in the 1880s. Finley used statistics he had gathered from a network of tornado observers and a study of previous tornadoes that had occurred throughout the country to compile a list of rules for tornado prediction. The Signal Corps in 1884 allowed Finley to issue trial tornado forecasts, but the fear of public panic led the chief signal officer to ban the use of the word “tornado.” Finley and his supporters believed the statistics verified the effectiveness of tornado forecasting, but the corps, beset by internal conflicts, ended the experiment in 1886. The Agriculture Department, which assumed jurisdiction for the civilian-controlled Weather Bureau in 1890, continued the ban on the use of the word tornado in forecasts until 1938. In spite of the loss of thousands of lives to tornadoes dur...
T-cell promiscuity in autoimmune diabetes.

OBJECTIVE—It is well established that the primary mediators of β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes are T-cells. Nevertheless, the molecular basis for recognition of β-cell–specific epitopes by pathogenic T-cells remains ill defined; we seek to further explore this issue. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—To determine the properties of β-cell–specific T-cell receptors (TCRs), we characterized the fine specificity, functional and relative binding avidity/affinity, and diabetogenicity of a panel of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cell clones established from unimmunized 4- and 14-week-old NOD female mice. RESULTS—The majority of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cells isolated from 4- and 14-week-old NOD female mice were specific for peptides spanning amino acids 217–236 (p217) and 290–309 (p290). Surprisingly, 31% of the T-cell clones prepared from 14-week-old but not younger NOD mice were stimulated with both p217 and p290. These promiscuous T-cell clones recognized the two epitopes when naturally processed and presented, and this dual specificity was mediated by a single TCR. Furthermore, promiscuous T-cell clones demonstrated increased functional avidity and relative TCR binding affinity, which correlated with enhanced islet infiltration on adoptive transfer compared with that of monospecific T-cell clones. CONCLUSIONS—These results indicate that promiscuous recognition contributes to the development of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cell clones in NOD mice. Furthermore, these findings suggest that T-cell promiscuity reflects a novel form of T-cell avidity maturation.
Multi-Modal Biometrics Involving the Human Ear

Due to its semi-rigid shape and robustness against change over time, the ear has become an increasingly popular biometric feature. It has been shown that combining individual biometric methods into multi-biometric systems improves recognition. What features should be used, how they should be captured, what algorithms should be used, and how they should be combined are all open questions. In this paper, we discuss several existing methods of combination and the recognition rates of each.
Ferrite head instability

Polycrystalline MIG (metal-in-gap) ferrite heads were investigated for unstable isolated transition responses. Some of the heads exhibited a severe left-right pulse asymmetry in the form of a foot on the leading edge of the transition response. The foot could be attributed to crystallites, magnetically defining the leading gap edge, having an unfavorable magnetization direction. Another phenomenon observed was perturbations (wiggles) in the readback signal around and during the isolated impulses. This was attributed to illumination, by passing transitions, of the micromagnetic granularity of the ferrite at the air-bearing surface directly adjoining the gap, as well as to hysteretic domain wall motion and delayed relaxation. The wiggle patterns changed upon write excitation; they gave rise to head instability. Pulsewidth distribution measurements in the presence of write excitation of the heads were found to give a good criterion for the degree of instability: the coefficient of variation of the distributions was found to closely track error rates. >
Uncovering the Mystery of Gliding Motility in the Myxobacteria

Bacterial gliding motility is the smooth movement of cells on solid surfaces unaided by flagella or pili. Many diverse groups of bacteria exhibit gliding, but the mechanism of gliding motility has remained a mystery since it was first observed more than a century ago. Recent studies on the motility of Myxococcus xanthus, a soil myxobacterium, suggest a likely mechanism for gliding in this organism. About forty M. xanthus genes were shown to be involved in gliding motility, and some of their protein products were labeled and localized within cells. These studies suggest that gliding motility in M. xanthus involves large multiprotein structural complexes, regulatory proteins, and cytoskeletal filaments. In this review, we summarize recent experiments that provide the basis for this emerging view of M. xanthus motility. We also discuss alternative models for gliding.
Social work and nursing collaboration: a case study in assessing and meeting patient and family needs

Social work and nursing have areas of discrete role functions which lead toward joint goals of comprehensive patient assessment and care. Both share concern for psychosocial functioning which has important implications for successful rehabilitation of persons who undergo ostomy surgery and their family members. The Family Assessment Measure (FAM III), a self-report instrument that provides qualitative indices of family psychosocial functioning was administered to an ostomy patient and his spouse, pre- and post-surgery. Basic family concepts assessed were task accomplishment, role performance, communication, affective expression, involvement, control, values, and norms. Findings from this case study have implications for continuity of care that emphasize an interprofessional approach to practice in health care settings.
Human Ovarian Function and Reproductive Ecology: New Hypotheses

A series of 8 hypotheses based on recent research are proposed relating the response of human ovarian function to ecological factors to gain a systhesis of ovarian physiology based on evolutionary theory. 1) Ovarian function shows a graded response to ecological behavioral and constitutional variables. The response ranges from amenorrhea to fully competent cycles and stimuli vary from weight loss exercise and lactation to aging. 2) The graded continuum of ovarian suppression forms a final common pathway by which these factors affect fecundity i.e. the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. 3) Ovarian function reflects trends in energy balance not merely nutritional status. 4) Ovarian function reflects aerobic activity independently of energy balance based on studies of Western women taking periodic exercise. 5) The combined effects of ecological behavioral and constitutional variables are additive on ovarian function. Examples are energy balance and age. 6) Female reproductive maturation is synchronized with skeletal maturation especially of the pelvis not merely with body weight. 7) Peak ovarian function is normally achieved in the early 20s. The exact nature of "adolescent subfecundity" including psychosocial factors remains to be determined. 8) Late reproductive maturation is associated with a slower rise in indices of ovarian function with age and a lower level of ovarian function in adulthood. Slow physical development and reproductive maturation provide an indication of chronic environmental qualities especially energy supply. Since menstrual cycles are rare in conditions of natural fertility and poor energy supply they are the only time when such women can recoup their energy balance.
Directed-Information Based Feature-Selection for Tissue-Specific Sequences

Motif discovery for the identification of functional regulatory elements underlying gene expression is a challenging problem. Sequence inspection often provides valuable clues to discovery of novel motifs (including transcription factor sites) with uncharacterized function in gene expression. Coupled with the complexity underlying tissue-specific gene expression, there are several motifs that are putatively responsible for gene expression in a certain cell type. This has important implications in understanding fundamental biological processes such as development and disease progression. In this work we present an approach to the identification of motifs (not necessarily transcription factors) and examine its application to several questions in current bioinformatics research. These motifs are seen to discriminate tissue-specific genomic regions from those that are not tissue-specific. We propose the use of directed information for such classification constrained feature selection, and then, use the selected features with a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to characterize the tissue-specificity of any sequence of interest. This analysis yields several novel interesting motifs that merit further experimental characterization. The last part of this paper presents a framework for exploring the relationship between such discriminatory transcription factor motifs, and the corresponding tissue-specificity, using both sequence and expression modalities.
Computing shortest path maps with GPU shaders

We present in this paper a new GPU-based approach to compute Shortest Path Maps (SPMs) from a source point in a polygonal domain. Our method takes advantage of GPU polygon rasterization with shader programming. After encoding the SPM in the frame buffer, globally shortest paths are efficiently computed in time proportional to the number of vertices in the path, and length queries are computed in constant time. We have evaluated our method in multiple environments and our results show a significant speedup in comparison to previous approaches.
Training in obstetric sonography in family medicine residency programs: results of a nationwide survey and suggestions for a teaching strategy

llIIcllground: Obstetric sonography is a valuable diagnostic procedure for famlly physicians who provide obstetrics; however, physicians tend to use technology that was effectively modeled during residency. The purpose of this study was to learn how many family medicine residency program directors had an interest in and a need for training in obstetric sonography, as well as whether they were wllling to commit faculty and finances for adding the technology to their programs. Methods: All program directors listed in the 1989 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Directory of Family Practke Residency Programs (n = 379) received a five-item questionnaire about obstetric services and use of sonograms in their programs and their desire for training in obstetric sonography. Results: More than 81 percent of respondents said their programs provided obstetrics. Sixty-eight percent of these respondents used sonograms, and 53 percent indicated a need for training in obstetric sonography. Forty-five percent of all respondents, regardless of whether their programs offered obstetrics, indicated a desire for training. Conclusions: The high level of interest in obstetric sonography can be explained, in part, by the 81 percent of respondents whose programs provided obstetrics. These figures suggest a need to establish a training curriculum in obstetric sonography for family medicine residency programs. Our training program, designed to reach faculty, residents, and practicing physicians, is described. (J Am Board Fam Pract 1994; 7:124-9.)