cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormalites in the development and reproduction of Blattella germania (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) treated with insect growth regulators with juvenile hormone activity.

Laboratory populations of German cockroach reared on food treated with R-20458 (75 ppm) or Ro 20-3600 (3000 ppm) became completely sterile and eventually extinct. The hypertrophied oocytes had excessively laid chorion, and the hypertrophied accessory sex glands contained excessive amounts of protein.
Continua for which connected partitions are compact

Abstract We investigate connected partitions of continua into compacta. In particular, we consider continua with property that every connected partition into compacta is compact. We characterize graphs which have this property as the trees and the simple closed curve. Dendrites are shown to have the property. An example of a nonlocally connected continuum with the property is also given.
Automatic 3D Shape Measurement Noise Reduction for an Optical Profilometer

This paper presents a technique to automatically reduce the measurement noise of an optical profilometer. By approximating polynomials line-by-line horizontally and vertically, the bad measurement points are detected and fixed automatically.
Crayfish Behavior: Observing Arthropods to Learn about Science & Scientific Inquiry.

This is a set of animal behavior investigations in which students will practice scientific inquiry as they observe crayfish, ask questions, and discuss territoriality, social interactions, and other behaviors. In doing this, they hone their skills of observation, learn to record and analyze data, control for variables, write hypotheses, make tentative conclusions, and then design and carry out original experiments. This set of activities and experiments is designed for middle school through high school life science or biology classrooms.
Characterization of λ class antibodies from the BALB/c memory response to a [glucosyl-α(1 → 3) glucosyl]-protein conjugate

Abstract Both dextran B-1355 and nigerosyl-KLH (N-KLH) contain α(1 → 3) diglucosyl moieties and both induce λ class serum antibodies which recognize the α(1 → 3) linkage. However, as shown here, some of the antibodies induced by the thymus-dependent form, N-KLH, have a distinct fine specificity. It is known that B-1355 induces antibodies which resemble the anti-α(1 → 3) myeloma proteins MOPC 104E and J558. The new fine specificity which does not resemble such antibodies is found in the serum of N-KLH primed mice challenged with N-KLH. The two fine specificity types are distinguished by their sensitivity to inhibition by nigerose in ELISA using B-1355 or N-BSA as bound antigen. Twelve hybridomas were produced from N-KLH primed mice boosted with either N-KLH or B-1355. Six of the 12 had the new fine specificity; only two out of the 12 expressed the IdX determinant commonly associated with the B-1355 response and neither of these possessed the new reactivity pattern. Comparative inhibition with the disaccharide nigerose and the tetrasaccharide nigerantetraose indicated that 11 out of the 12 hybridoma proteins have combining sites larger than a disaccharide. Southern and Northern blot analysis of eight hybridomas revealed that all expressed VH genes from the J558 family, but that at least two distinct VH genes from this family were used. The data support the hypothesis that immunization with an α(1 → 3) diglucosyl-protein conjugate alters the composition of the B cell pool capable of producing λ class antibodies from that ordinarily observed following immunization with B-1355.
Allospecific CD154+ T cells identify rejection-prone recipients after pediatric small-bowel transplantation

Background Up to 70% of children with small bowel transplantation (SBTx) experience acute cellular rejection (ACR). Allospecific CD154+ T cells predict liver ACR in children in a novel, 16-hour mixed leukocyte response (MLR) assay, but remain untested in SBTx. Methods The expression of CD154 was measured in 4 subsets—naive (N) and memory (M) CD154+ T-helper (Th) and T-cytotoxic (Tc) cells (ie, CD154+ ThN, CD154+ ThM, CD154+ TcN, and CD154+ TcM, respectively)—in the MLR of single blood samples obtained from 32 children with SBTx within 60 days of SBTx biopsy. Children showing ACR in these biopsies were termed Rejectors. The ratio of donor-induced to third-party–induced CD154+ T cells was called the immunoreactivity index (IR). We hypothesized that IR >1 denoted increased donor-specific alloreactivity and increased risk of rejection; in contrast, IR Results Rejectors showed significantly greater numbers of donor-specific CD154+ T-cell subsets. Logistic regression analysis and leave-one-out cross validation followed by receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that, among the 4 subsets, IR ≥1.23 for CD154+ TcM identified Rejectors with a sensitivity and specificity of 93% and 88%. Also, a significant negative correlation was observed between CD154 expression and CTLA4 expression in allospecific Tc (Spearman's rho = –0.616, P = .006) but not in Th. Conclusion Allospecific CD154+ TcM identify rejection-prone children with SBTx.
Otolaryngology resident workflow: a time-motion and efficiency study.

Objective. To investigate workflow in an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency program over 1 year and identify areas for improvement in the efficiency of resident education and training.S...
Full-Scale Testing and Analysis for Blast-Resistant Design

A full-scale blast test was conducted on a structure representing a mailroom, constructed with unreinforced masonry walls. The four walls were retrofitted with different quantities of glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP) on the outside face to increase their resistance to the blast load. In addition, shotcrete was added to the inside face of the two long walls. The objective of this test was to validate a method of analysis that can be used to design effective retrofit techniques to contain blast loads. A blast load was produced by the detonation of a 0.91 kg (2 lb) equivalent TNT charge placed near the center of the room. Instrumentation on individual walls monitored the blast pressure and the consequent displacement and velocity of the walls. Although the walls sustained extensive internal damage and plastic deformation, the retrofit was able to withstand the blast load. It was observed through the postmortem analysis of the test that the stiffness of the walls is completely lost at an early stage and...
Hypoxemic episodes of patients in a postanesthesia care unit

The incidence, degree, and duration of acute hypoxemia were evaluated with continuous arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation monitoring by pulse oximetry in 100 postoperative patients during 40 percent oxygen administration by aerosol face tent from postanesthetic recovery room admission to discharge. Saturations were recorded by pulse oximeters (Nellcor-N 200) with desaturations of or = 30 s considered significant. On recovery room admission, 15 percent of patients were experiencing episodes of desaturation. Low admission saturations correlated positively with patient age and body weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, patients having received general anesthesia, and with greater volumes of intraoperative intravenous fluids, particularly > 1,500 ml. Later desaturations to 86.7 +/- 4.6 percent (72 to 91 percent) at 32 +/- 54 min after admission for 5.2 +/- 12.6 min occurred in 25 percent of patients and correlated positively with peripheral surgical procedures, low oxygen saturation on admission, duration of anesthesia, and volume of intraoperative intravenous fluids. Desaturation durations were longer for female subjects and correlated positively with body weight and intravenous fluid volume. Significant arterial hemoglobin oxygen desaturations occurred despite prophylactic oxygen administration by aerosol face tent during short-term postoperative recovery room care.
Wave kinetic instabilities in nonlinear, statistical optics

We experimentally demonstrate wave-kinetic instabilities in the nonlinear coupling of two partially-coherent beams. We report pure momentum-space energy transfer, without intensity modulations, below the (joint) MI threshold and full {x,k} phase space dynamics above it.
Early Cross-Modal Interactions in Auditory and Visual Cortex Underlie a Sound-Induced Visual Illusion

When a single flash of light is presented interposed between two brief auditory stimuli separated by 60-100 ms, subjects typically report perceiving two flashes (Shams et al., 2000, 2002). We investigated the timing and localization of the cortical processes that underlie this illusory flash effect in 34 subjects by means of 64-channel recordings of event-related potentials (ERPs). A difference ERP calculated to isolate neural activity associated with the illusory second flash revealed an early modulation of visual cortex activity at 30-60 ms after the second sound, which was larger in amplitude in subjects who saw the illusory flash more frequently. These subjects also showed this early modulation in response to other combinations of auditory and visual stimuli, thus pointing to consistent individual differences in the neural connectivity that underlies cross-modal integration. The overall pattern of cortical activity associated with the cross-modally induced illusory flash, however, differed markedly from that evoked by a real second flash. A trial-by-trial analysis showed that short-latency ERP activity localized to auditory cortex and polymodal cortex of the temporal lobe, concurrent with gamma bursts in visual cortex, were associated with perception of the double-flash illusion. These results provide evidence that perception of the illusory second flash is based on a very rapid dynamic interplay between auditory and visual cortical areas that is triggered by the second sound.
A proposed new method for damping relaxation oscillations in laser diodes

A new concept of damping relaxation oscillations in injection laser diodes is described. This method involves the operation of the laser as a part of a bipolar transistor, and the damping is accomplished by reducing the carrier lifetime in the laser active region only at frequencies near resonance. The advantage of the proposed method is that the damping mechanism does not affect the laser operation at any other frequency range.
Protein−Lipid Interactions in Zein Films Investigated by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Experiments on the adsorption of α-zein (characterized by SDS-PAGE) from aqueous ethanol and 2-propanol solutions onto hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces are reported. Zein adsorption onto self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) was detected by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Gold substrates were prepared by thermal evaporation on glass slides. Gold-coated surfaces were modified by depositing SAMs of either a long-chain carboxylic acid terminated thiol [COOH(CH2)10SH] or a methyl-terminated alkanethiol [CH3(CH2)7SH]. Experimental measurements indicated that zein interacted with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces. Zein concentration affected the thickness of bound zein layers. The estimated thickness of the zein monolayer deposited on hydrophilic surfaces was 4.7 nm. Zein monolayer thickness on hydrophobic surfaces was estimated at 4.6 nm. The topography of zein layers was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) after solvent was evaporated. Surface features of zein deposits depended on the adsorbing ...
Energy barrier to decoherence

We propose a ground-state approach to realizing quantum computers. This scheme is time-independent and inherently defends against decoherence by possessing an energy barrier to excitation. We prove that our time-independent qubits can perform the same algorithms as their time-dependent counterparts. Advantages and disadvantages of the time-independent approach are described. A model involving quantum dots is provided for illustration.
Shear stress regulates connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in vein graft remodeling

Introduction: Shear stress stands as a potent modulator of vascular remodeling with reduced shear leading to enhanced intimal hyperplasia within vein grafts. This shear-regulated intimal growth results from changes in cell proliferation and MMP-2 activation, however the mediators through which alterations in shear lead to remote changes in the developing neointima have not been well characterized. CTGF, acting as a downstream effecter of TGF-β, has a pivotal role in the regulation of matrix reorganization and cell homeostasis during pathologic stromal scar formation. We hypothesize CTGF to have a significant role the accelerated intimal growth seen in reduced shear conditions. Methods: Following bilateral carotid, vein graft placement within the rabbit neck (n = 9), partial distal branch ligation was performed on the right to create a flow differential between the grafts. Grafts were harvested at 28 days to evaluate morphology and CTGF gene and protein expression, using PCR (Taqman) and ELISA techniques. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize CTGF within the wall. Results: Unilateral ligation led to a significant disparity in wall shear (5.6 ± 1.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.4 dynes/cm2, p = 0.01). Grafts demonstrated a marked difference in remodeling, with decreased intimal area under high shear conditions (21 ± 4 vs. 89 ± 8 mm2, p = 0.001). A significant interaction between CTGF and the imposed hemodynamic environment was observed, with elevations in shear stress leading to marked up-regulation of CTGF. Immunohistochemistry for CTGF revealed localization of protein almost exclusively to the endothelium. Conclusions: Elevated shear stress leads to an increase in endothelial CTGF production during early graft remodeling, suggesting CTGF to be an important mediator of intimal hyperplasia. Intervention in CTGF signaling may offer a therapeutic strategy to reduce vein graft failure. Download high-res image (131KB) Download full-size image
Gain and phase-conjugation fidelity of a four-wave Brillouin mirror based on methane

We report measurements of the gain and phase-conjugation fidelity of a nondegenerate four-wave Brillouin mirror (FWBM) based on high-pressure methane. In the experiments we used a Nd:YAG laser that produced single-mode pulses of 13-nsec duration. Depending on the energy of the pump we measured signal reflectivities between 10 and 103, constant over six orders of magnitude of signal energy. We also determined the conjugation fidelity of the FWBM by measuring the Strehl ratio of the conjugated return as a function of the energy of the input signal. We show that the Strehl ratio reduces to 0.5 for an input energy of 1.5 × 10−13 J/mode of the FWBM. This noise-equivalent signal energy constitutes the limiting sensitivity of the FWBM. Our experiments show that a gas-filled FWBM could be used as a phase conjugator and high-repetition-rate optical image intensifier.
Neuroprotective role of l-carnitine in the 3-nitropropionic acid induced neurotoxicity

L-carnitine (LC) plays an important regulatory role in the mitochondrial transport of long-chain free fatty acids (FFA). 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) is known to induce cellular energy deficit and oxidative stress related neurotoxicity via an irreversible inhibition of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Protective effects of L-carnitine on the neurotoxicity induced by 3-NPA have been shown in vitro. Here, the activities of SDH as well as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in order to evaluate the protective action of LC against 3-NPA-induced neurotoxicity. Male, CD Sprague-Dawley rats, 3-month old, were injected with either 50 or 100 mg/kg of LC, i.p., 30-60 min prior to 3-NPA (30 mg/kg, s.c.) or with 3-NPA alone. Enzyme activities were assayed in caudate nucleus (CN), frontal cortex (FC), and hippocampus (HIP) post sacrifice. Increased activities of CAT and SOD were observed after treatment with 3-NPA alone. Pretreatment with low or high doses of LC was associated with attenuation of these increases equivalent to, or below, the control levels. In rats treated with 3-NPA alone, SDH activity was inhibited by 62% (CN), 50% (FC), and 65% (HIP) of controls. Pretreatment with LC prior to 3-NPA attenuated decreases of SDH activity in a dose-dependent manner. However, compared with control, the activity of SDH remained significantly lower in brain regions of treated rats despite the attenuation of inhibition by LC pretreatment (P<0.05). These data suggest protective effect of LC against 3-NPA-induced oxidative stress. It appears that the protective effect of LC against 3-NPA-induced oxidative stress is not mediated by the direct action of LC preventing the SDH inhibition but rather is achieved due to the actions of LC downstream of the SDH inhibition.
Isotopic (δ18O) characteristics of weekly precipitation collected across the USA : an initial analysis with application to water source studies

A portion of the precipitation samples collected and stored by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) are shown to be useful for analysis of isotopes in precipitation. The potential problems with evaporation are small based on deuterium excess analyses and comparisons with the Global Meteroic Water Line. Presented here are the δ 18 O values of precipitation collected from nine NADP sites during 1989, 1990 and 1991. The trends in the isotopic (δ 18 O) characteristics of recent precipitation are in agreement with findings from previous International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sites in the USA. The findings are also in agreement with several major isotope-environment relationships, further supporting the use of these samples for a modern global data base on the isotopes in precipitation being developed by IAEA, called GNIP (Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation) and for use by research groups in the hydrological modelling, palaeoclimate and ecological communities. As expected, the average δ 18 O values of precipitation that is derived from the Gulf of Mexico (-3‰) and from the Pacific North-west are isotopically distinct (-7‰). In addition, using the NADP network, isotopic depletion in the δ 18 O values of precipitation in the range of 8‰ was observed from coastal to inland locations either in the Pacific North-west or along the east side of the Rocky Mountains, from Texas to Eastern Montana. In central USA, especially at high elevation, there is a strong seasonal variation in the δ 18 O values of precipitation, differing by almost 25‰ between January and August, whereas at coastal locations the seasonal variation in the δ 18 O values of precipitation was minimal. Comparisons between the average δ 18 O values of precipitation from several NADP sites and those of the IAEA collected in the 1960s and 1970s are exceptionally comparable, differing in some cases by only 0.1‰, further substantiating the quality and utility of precipitation from this network. The δ 18 O-temperature relationships for two of our sites had slopes of 0.55 (Colorado) and 0-46 (Nebraska) that are within the range of those reported earlier (0.29-0.7), although they are slightly lower, possibly owing to the large temperature variation between winter and summer in central USA. Further, the seasonal variation in the δ 18 O values of precipitation are used in a pair of ecological studies to articulate water sources of different plant life forms in riparian and prairie ecosystems, with grasses typically using summer rain to a much greater extent than woody species, such as willow or saltbush.
Inter-Frame Image Processing

Inter-frame operations are a very powerful, yet neglected, class of image processing operations in which the operands are entire frames, not individual pixels as in intra-frame processing. For inter-frame processing the processed frames must be registered. A procedure for the automatic registration of images of both two and three dimensional object scenes is described. Hardware implementation of this generic process, exploiting recent developments in processing hardware technology, would make available this class of powerful image processing operations for a wide range of military and industrial applications.
The effect of finite scattering geometry on measured electron differential cross-sections

Abstract A model calculation of the effects of finite scattering geometry in electron diffraction counting experiments was carried out numerically. Gaussian beams and I.A.M. N2 were used. The importance of the various apparatus dimensions are analyzed. The results indicate the preferences in experiment design and show that the effect of the geometry need not be greater than 0.01%.
Cyclic AMP-induced desensitization of G-protein-regulated phospholipase C in turkey erythrocyte membranes.

The interaction of the cyclic AMP and inositol lipid signalling systems was studied in turkey erythrocytes. Elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations by pretreatment of the cells with forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP resulted in a marked decrease in responsiveness of phospholipase C to G-protein activators in membranes prepared from treated cells. Decreases in responsiveness occurred with a t12 of approximately 5 min and were reversible after transfer of desensitized cells to drug-free medium. Pretreatment of the cells with forskolin inhibited inositol phosphate formation in a concentration-dependent manner and addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) during pretreatment increased the capacity of forskolin to desensitize phospholipase C activity. IBMX also produced a similar potentiation of forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in turkey erythrocytes. Isoproterenol pretreatment of the cells induced, like forskolin, partial inhibition of inositol phosphate generation in response to G-protein activators and to P2Y purinoceptor and β-adrenoceptor agonists. The capacity of isoproterenol to induce desensitization of phospholipase C activity also was increased by the presence of IBMX during pretreatment of the cells. H8 (N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulfonamide), an inhibitor of cyclic AMP-regulated protein kinase, completely prevented forskolin-induced desensitization but only partially blocked isoproterenol-induced desensitization. These results indicate that the cyclic AMP signalling cascade has a major inhibitory influence on receptor- and G-protein-activated inositol lipid signaling.
The cellular organization of gene expression

Recent cell biological observations have provided new insights into how transcription, pre-mRNA splicing and 3' processing are organized and coordinated with each other in the mammalian cell nucleus. Morphological observations are supported by biochemical evidence that suggests physical interactions between components of the transcription and RNA processing machineries. A working model of the cellular organization of gene expression is now emerging.
Galaxy Clustering in Two Dimensions - Some Analytic Results

The key results of Fall, Saslaw, and Kandrup regarding the early stages of galaxy clustering are reformulated here for the model problem of two-dimensional gravity with anr−1-interaction force. This should lead to new insights into the various physical processes involved and, more importantly, may prove of some use in interpreting numerical results obtained from two-dimensionalN-body simulations. The calculations suggest that, for a two-, rather than three-dimensional system, the correlational energy density should grow more rapidly with time, but should exhibit only a weak logarithmic dependence upon the typical particle speed. Various other measures of the clustering are independent of the dimensionality.
"Let's dive into it!": Learning electricity with multiple representations

Electrical circuits are difficult to understand. In this paper, we introduce Spark, a museum exhibit that enables learners to interact with multiple representations of electrical circuits at the same time. The goal is to familiarize children with fundamental concepts of electricity such as current and resistance. We tested our design with 6 parent-child dyads at a major science museum. Our study investigates how families make sense of representations at the level of circuits and at the level of electrons and ions. Our findings show a wide variety of visitor interactions with the exhibit, in particular when connecting the two representations of a circuit.
Rheo-optics of cationic surfactant micellar solutions with mixed aromatic counterions

The effects of different ratios of mixed aromatic counterions of sodium salicylate (NaSal) and sodium 4-ethylbenzenesulfonate (NaEBS) at a total counterion concentration of 0.125 M on the rheo-optical behaviors of 0.05 M cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) cationic surfactant solutions were studied. The introduction of NaEBS into CTAC–NaSal solution led to a significant deviation from the Cox–Merz rule. Mixing of the two aromatic counterions lowered the CTAC solutions’ zero shear viscosities, increased their plateau shear modulus, and decreased their relaxation time. In addition, the persistence lengths of the threadlike micelles and the mesh size of the micellar network were also significantly reduced. These effects are believed to be due to increased degree of branching and denser meshes of the micellar networks in the mixed counterion systems.
Torque and dynamics of linking number relaxation in stretched supercoiled DNA

In micromechanical studies of DNA, plectonemically supercoiled domains are often used as sources of constant torque. These torques are not easily measured and are instead usually estimated. Here, coexisting extended and supercoiled DNA domains are analyzed, and closed-form expressions for the dependence of extension and torque on force and linking number are presented. When there are coexisting domains of plectonemic and extended DNA, the torque depends only on force, with no dependence on linking number. However, torque depends on force in a manner more complex than a simple power law, involving the free energy of the extended and plectonemic DNA. A simple strategy is described for measurement of the free energies of both extended and plectonemic DNA without reference to specific microscopic polymer models. Applications of the theory to analysis of relaxation of supercoiling by enzymes which permit friction-controlled rotational relaxation of linking number is also presented. Such enzymes must display a breaking of symmetry between relaxations driven by equal magnitude but opposite direction torques.
Further comments on "Implications of the Routh stability criterion"

The result of the above-named note (ibid., vol. AC-15 pp 554-555, June 1980) is contained in Routh's original monograph (1975), where he shows that a polynomial has at least one root with a positive real part if any element in the Routh array is negative. Routh's work is readily available in the reprinted version, but for some reason this result is seldom quoted in contemporary textbooks.
Efficient synthesis of the tetracyclic aminoquinone moiety of marmycin A.

An efficient four-step route to the tetracyclic aminoquinone moiety of marmycin A that proceeds in 41% overall yield from 5-nitronaphthoquinone and 5-methyl-1-vinylcyclohexene will facilitate preparation of marmycin A analogues for biological evaluation. The Diels−Alder reaction gave exclusively the desired adduct that is favored by steric considerations rather than the regioisomeric adduct that is favored by electronic considerations.
Extreme daily loads: role in annual phosphorus input to a north temperate lake

Changes in fertilizer use, manure management or precipitation may alter the frequency of episodes of high nutrient runoff and thereby affect annual nutrient loads and total nutrient concentrations of lakes. We developed an empirical, stochastic model for daily P loads and used the model to project annual P loads and summer total P concentrations in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, USA. Daily P loads (8,250 daily observations) were fit closely by a three-part gamma distribution composed of days with low, intermediate, and high P loads. High P load days happen when heavy rains or snowmelt occur on soil with abundant P, often as a result of manure or inorganic fertilizer application. In Lake Mendota, on average 29 days per year accounted for 74 % of the annual load. Simulations showed that median annual P loads increased linearly with the frequency of high P load days. However, the upper quantiles of the annual P load distribution increased more steeply than the median. Increases in the number of high P load days per year also increased summer concentrations of P in the lake. Thus increases in the frequency of high P load days due to larger precipitation events or increased application of fertilizers and manure may worsen widespread problems caused by P pollution of lakes in this agricultural watershed.
Tightening: curvature-limiting morphological simplification

Given a planar set S of arbitrary topology and a radius r, we show how to construct an r-tightening of S, which is a set whose boundary has a radius of curvature everywhere greater than or equal to r and which only differs from S in a morphologically-defined tolerance zone we call the mortar. The mortar consists of the thin or highly curved parts of S, such as corners, gaps, and small connected components, while the boundary of a tightening consists of minimum-length loops through the mortar. Tightenings are defined independently of shape representation, and it may be possible to find them using a variety of algorithms. We describe how to approximately compute tightenings for sets represented as binary images using constrained, level-set curvature flow.
CAN THE REGION SURVIVE POST-MODERNISM?

(1990). CAN THE REGION SURVIVE POST-MODERNISM? Urban Geography: Vol. 11, Law, Regulation, and Geography II, pp. 586-593.
SAF values for internal photon emitters calculated for the RPI-P pregnant-female models using Monte Carlo methods.

Estimates of radiation absorbed doses from radionuclides internally deposited in a pregnant woman and her fetus are very important due to elevated fetal radiosensitivity. This paper reports a set of specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) for use with the dosimetry schema developed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) Committee. The calculations were based on three newly constructed pregnant female anatomic models, called RPI-P3, RPI-P6, and RPI-P9, that represent adult females at 3-, 6-, and 9-month gestational periods, respectively. Advanced Boundary REPresentation (BREP) surface-geometry modeling methods were used to create anatomically realistic geometries and organ volumes that were carefully adjusted to agree with the latest ICRP reference values. A Monte Carlo user code, EGS4-VLSI, was used to simulate internal photon emitters ranging from 10 keV to 4 MeV. SAF values were calculated and compared with previous data derived from stylized models of simplified geometries and with a model of a 7.5-month pregnant female developed previously from partial-body CT images. The results show considerable differences between these models for low energy photons, but generally good agreement at higher energies. These differences are caused mainly by different organ shapes and positions. Other factors, such as the organ mass, the source-to-target-organ centroid distance, and the Monte Carlo code used in each study, played lesser roles in the observed differences in these. Since the SAF values reported in this study are based on models that are anatomically more realistic than previous models, these data are recommended for future applications as standard reference values in internal dosimetry involving pregnant females.
Analysis of Crash Rates at Interstate Work Zones in Indiana

The aging Interstate system in the United States requires extensive rehabilitation and maintenance, which results in the closure of a significant portion of the system each year to accommodate work zones. These work zones not only cause travel delay, they also create safety hazards. An analysis of crash rates at Interstate work zones in Indiana is presented. Crash rates in work zones were found to be higher than those on comparable highway sections without work zones. It is believed that lane closure strategies also may influence crash potential at work zones. An analysis of the relative safety effects of two commonly used lane closure strategies, partial lane closure and crossover, is presented.
Information-Processing Theory and the Multinational Enterprise

This paper attempts to extend information-processing theory so that it can be meaningfully applied to MNCs. A specific multidimensional framework is developed that can be used to measure the information-processing capacities of macro-level features of MNC organizational design. An applied example, transnationalism, is used to illustrate how to apply the framework and demonstrate that it can contribute meaningful new insight to this complex organizational problem.
Pressure Dependence of the Reaction Cl + C3H6

The rate constant for the reaction Cl + C3H6 (k1) has been measured relative to that of Cl + C2H6 over the range 0.3−700 Torr in N2 at 298 K. UV irradiation was used to generate Cl atoms in mixtures of C3H6, C2H6, Cl2, and N2 in two different reactors using FTIR or GC analysis. The yields of the two major products, allyl chloride (3-C3H5Cl) and 1,2-dichloropropane were measured. k1 decreases by a factor of 5 between 700 and 1 Torr. Below 1 Torr, the rate constant becomes independent of pressure. The results indicate that k1 is a composite of three reaction channels, each having a different pressure dependence. Measurement of the yield of 1,2-dichloropropane, the final product formed from the addition of Cl to C3H6, at each pressure allows a determination of the rate constant (k1a) for the addition of Cl to C3H6. Assuming a typical center broadening factor (Fc = 0.6), the high- and low-pressure limiting constants are calculated to be k1a(∞) = (2.7 ± 0.4) × 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k1a(0) = (4.0 ± 0.4) ...
RF Impedance of United States and European Power Lines

Impedance measurements were made of 86 commercial 50-Hz AC power distribution systems throughout the LF-HF (0.02-30 MHz) spectrum in six European countries. The impedances are those presented to devices/appliances connected to the ac power source. The European results are presented in graphic and tabular form and are compared to impedances of U.S. power lines.
Localization of the Fission Yeast U5.U2/U6 Spliceosome Subunits

The spliceosome is a dynamic macromolecular machine that catalyzes the excision of introns from pre-mRNA to generate protein-coding transcripts. The megadalton-sized spliceosome is composed of four small nuclear RNPs (U1, U2, U5, and U4/U6) and numerous pre-mRNA splicing factors. The formation of an active spliceosome is hypothesized to occur in a stepwise manner requiring the assembly and disassembly of large multiprotein/RNA complexes. A promising structural approach to obtain information about spliceosome complexes is single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a powerful technique that is ideal for determining the structures of large dynamic complexes at protein concentrations too low for crystallization. Formerly, our group determined structure of the fission yeast U5.U2/U6 spliceosome complex by cryo-EM. This U5.U2/U6 spliceosome complex contains the U2, U5, and U6 snRNAs, pre-mRNA splicing intermediates, U2 and U5 snRNP proteins, the Nineteen Complex (NTC), and second-step splicing factors. However, the location of these subunits in the complex was not determined. Using antibody labeling and single particle EM we are now localizing these individual subunits within the density map of the U5.U2/U6 spliceosome complex. This work now enables us to propose a structural model for U5.U2/U6 organization.
Cosmetics that imitate a tan

A tanned appearance remains appealing to a large segment of the population despite dermatologists' admonitions regarding the hazards of ultraviolet light exposure. A variety of products have been introduced as a substitute for UV-induced tanning. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) containing sunless or self-tanners are the most popular. The properties and use of these products are the focus of this review. DHA also provides some limited UV protection. Color cosmetics as an alternative to tanning are also described.
Tensile and stress-rupture behavior of hafnium carbide dispersed molybdenum and tungsten base alloy wires

The tensile strain rate sensitivity and the stress-rupture strength of Mo-base and W-base alloy wires, 380 microns in diameter, were determined over the temperature range from 1200 K to 1600 K. Three molybdenum alloy wires; Mo + 1.1w/o hafnium carbide (MoHfC), Mo + 25w/o W + 1.1w/o hafnium carbide (MoHfC+25W) and Mo + 45w/o W + 1.1w/o hafnium carbide (MoHfC+45W), and a W + 0.4w/o hafnium carbide (WHfC) tungsten alloy wire were evaluated. The tensile strength of all wires studied was found to have a positive strain rate sensitivity. The strain rate dependency increased with increasing temperature and is associated with grain broadening of the initial fibrous structures. The hafnium carbide dispersed W-base and Mo-base alloys have superior tensile and stress-rupture properties than those without HfC. On a density compensated basis the MoHfC wires exhibit superior tensile and stress-rupture strengths to the WHfC wires up to approximately 1400 K. Addition of tungsten in the Mo-alloy wires was found to increase the long-term stress rupture strength at temperatures above 1400 K. Theoretical calculations indicate that the strength and ductility advantage of the HfC dispersed alloy wires is due to the resistance to recrystallization imparted by the dispersoid.
Strategies for Smoking Cessation

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 400,000 deaths annually. Recent advances in the treatment of smoking cessation and prevention of relapse offer promise to many smokers, especially vulnerable smokers such as those with coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular disease. Varenicline, a newly approved medication for smoking cessation, is a welcome addition to the clinician’s treatment arsenal. Other options for treatment include new uses of traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as the simultaneous use of two forms of NRT or starting NRT prior to the quit-smoking date. A combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies is appropriate for most smokers and effectively doubles quit rates compared with rates in smokers who try to quit without the help of a clinician. Drawing appropriately from existing therapeutic options, the clinician should aim to treat smokers at all levels of interest in quitting.
Experimental Evidence that Nestling Begging Behaviour Incurs a Cost Due to Nest Predation

The striking vocalizations, stretching, gaping and pushing that comprise the ‘begging’ behaviour of nestling birds have been of great interest to evolutionary biologists. Many models have been proposed to explain the evolution of this suite of traits. In this paper I describe the first experimental test of the assumption that forms the foundation of all these models: that begging behaviour bears a direct cost. Miniature two-way radios hidden inside artificial nests were used to measure changes in predation rates with changes in begging. This showed that begging was costly for birds that nest on the ground, but there was no cost for those that nest in trees. Further, the cost of begging for ground-nesters was an increasing function of begging rate. For ground nests, these data suggest that nest predation could act both as a check on the evolutionary exaggeration of begging traits, and as a mechanism to enforce the honesty of begging signals. The marked variation in the predation cost of begging in different nesting sites suggests that this cost may form a good framework for investigations of the interspecific diversity of begging calls.
Partitionable starters for twin prime power type

Abstract Skew starters, balanced starters, partitionable starters are used in the construction of various combinatorial designs and configurations such as Room squares, Howell designs and Howell rotations. In this paper, we construct partitionable starters of order n when n is a product of two prime powers differing by 2. These partitionable starters are shown to be skew for n ⩾ 143. The results imply the existence of certain balanced Howell rotations. Moreover, we show the existence of partionable balanced starters of order n = 2m −1.
String and supergravity motivated cosmology

In this pedagogical lecture we explain some basic part of the standard cosmological model which is most relevant for the fundamental theoretical physics. We stress the common features and differences between early universe inflation and late-time acceleration. We than proceed with some recent attempts to address the issues of cosmology in string theory and higher dimensional supergravity with the emphasis on successes and still unsolved problems.
On the low-power design of DCT and IDCT for low bit-rate video codecs

Examines low power design techniques for discrete cosine transform (DCT) and inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) circuits applicable for low bit rate wireless video systems. The techniques include skipping low energy DCT input, skipping all-zero IDCT input, low precision constant multipliers, clock gating, and a low transition data path. The final DCT and IDCT blocks reduce average power dissipation by 95% over baseline reference blocks.
Regulation of presynaptic phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate by neuronal activity

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2) has been implicated in a variety of cellular processes, including synaptic vesicle recycling. However, little is known about the spatial distribution of this phospholipid in neurons and its dynamics. In this study, we have focused on these questions by transiently expressing the phospholipase C (PLC)-δ1 pleckstrin homology (PH) domain fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cultured hippocampal neurons. This PH domain binds specifically and with high affinity to PIP2. Live confocal imaging revealed that in resting cells, PH-GFP is localized predominantly on the plasma membrane. Interestingly, no association of PH-GFP with synaptic vesicles in quiescent neurons was observed, indicating the absence of detectable PIP2 on mature synaptic vesicles. Electrical stimulation of hippocampal neurons resulted in a decrease of the PH-GFP signal at the plasma membrane, most probably due to a PLC-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2. This was accompanied in the majority of presynaptic terminals by a marked increase in the cytoplasmic PH-GFP signal, localized most probably on freshly endocytosed membranes. Further investigation revealed that the increase in PH-GFP signal was dependent on the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and the consequent production of nitric oxide (NO). Thus, PIP2 in the presynaptic terminal appears to be regulated by postsynaptic activity via a retrograde action of NO.
Pleiotropic signaling pathways orchestrate yeast development

Developmental phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and related yeasts include responses such as filamentous growth, sporulation, and the formation of biofilms and complex colonies. These developmental phenotypes are regulated by evolutionarily conserved, nutrient-responsive signaling networks. The signaling mechanisms that control development in yeast are highly pleiotropic--all the known pathways contribute to the regulation of multiple developmental outcomes. This degree of pleiotropy implies that perturbations of these signaling pathways, whether genetic, biochemical, or environmentally induced, can manifest in multiple (and sometimes unexpected) ways. We summarize the current state of knowledge of developmental pleiotropy in yeast and discuss its implications for understanding functional relationships.
The Arabidopsis blue light receptor cryptochrome 2 is a nuclear protein regulated by a blue light‐dependent post‐transcriptional mechanism

Cryptochrome 2 is a flavin-type blue light receptor mediating floral induction in response to photoperiod and a blue light-induced hypocotyl growth inhibition. cry2 is required for the elevated expression of the flowering-time gene CO in response to long-day photoperiods, but the molecular mechanism underlying the function of cry2 is not clear. The carboxyl domain of cry2 bears a basic bipartite nuclear localization signal, and the cry2 protein was co-fractionated with the nucleus. Analysis of transgenic plants expressing a fusion protein of CRY2 and the reporter enzyme GUS (GUS-CRY2) indicated that the GUS-CRY2 fusion protein accumulated in the nucleus of transgenic plants grown in dark or light. The C-terminal domain of cry2 that contains the basic bipartite nuclear localization signal was sufficient to confer nuclear localization of the fusion protein. Phenotypic analysis of transgenic plants expressing the fusion protein GUS-CRY2 demonstrated that GUS-CRY2 acts as a functional photoreceptor in vivo, mediating the blue light-induced inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. These results strongly suggest that cry2 is a nuclear protein. Although no obvious light regulation was found for the nuclear compartmentation of GUS-CRY2 fusion protein, the abundance of GUS-CRY2 was regulated by blue light in a way similar to that of cry2.
Should the Japanese corporate governance model be harmonized to the global standard

Corporations are organized differently from country to country in terms of their management structures, stakeholder power, and nature of corporate control. This paper basically addresses the following three issues in order to reach a conclusion: (1) comparative differences of corporate governance models across nations, where various corporate governance practices and systems are compared across major developed countries, including UK, US, France, Germany and Japan; (2) historical and socio-cultural "origin" of the Japanese corporate governance model, where its deep-rooted institutional backgrounds are depicted in some depth; and (3) environmental changes and their impact on the Japanese corporate governance model, where major and fundamental social, economic and institutional external changes that would affect the nature of the Japanese corporate governance system.
Comparing two measures of eating restraint in bulimic women treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Objective: To examine changes in dietary restraint patterns revealed by the Eating Disorders Examination Restraint subscale (EDE-R) and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Cognitive Restraint scale (TFEQ-CR) in a large sample of women with bulimia nervosa (BN) who completed 18 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Method: Data from 134 subjects were obtained from a larger study and analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The EDE-R showed statistically and clinically significant decreases post-CBT, whereas the TFEQ-CR did not change significantly. Discussion: This is the first study to directly compare the EDE-R and TFEQ-CR before and after CBT in the same population. The contrasting results suggest the two measures tap different aspects of the dietary restraint construct. The EDE-R may primarily reflect dieting to lose weight whereas the TFEQ-CR may reflect dieting to avoid weight gain. In assessing changes in dietary restraint targeted by CBT for BN, the TFEQ-CR appears less useful. # 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 36: 83-88, 2004.