cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship among negative attributions, conformity, and modeling behavior

Evidence suggests that individuals with a negative attributional style—as determined by the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ; Seligman, Abramson, Semmel, & Baeyer, 1979)—when confronted with an aversive situation conform and manifest the behavior of whatever model is provided. Data are presented that support Seligman's reformulated model of learned helplessness. Eighty-two students were administered the ASQ. Those subjects in the upper quartiles for composite positive and compositive negative attributions composed the experimental groups. A situation that involved perceived loss in an achievement area was presented. When communication remained ambiguous, experimental subjects emitted learned helplessness behavior. When communication was clarified by modeling, the reformulated model of learned helplessness was a more accurate predictor of subjects' behavior. Under modeling conditions, the experimental subjects emitted behavior that correlated with the model rather than with the group.
Spacecraft Optimization with Combined Chemical-Electric Propulsion

Electrical System An eight-channel receiver is used to control the functions of the flight vehicle. Of the eight channels, four are assigned to the autopilot and primary flight controls. Servomechanisms are used as the actuating mechanisms. During autopilot operation the three primary flight control channels (elevator, rudder, and ailerons) from the receiver are disabled, allowing signals from only the autopilot to activate the servomechanisms. Conversely, when the autopilot is disengaged, the three flight control channels are active. This approach allows only one set of signals to reach the flight controls, either from the autopilot or from the ground controller. The remaining four channels are assigned to engine start, wing lock release, landing-gear release, and flaps. At the instant of engine start, a timer is activated, and the wing lock is released at a predetermined elapsed time. This serves as a backup feature, allowing wing deployment to occur in the event that no signals are received from the ground controller. Trajectory Analysis An analysis of the trajectory was conducted with SORT.2 This program allows three-dimensional trajectory optimization. Only pointmass trajectories were analyzed. Engine burnout occurs 36 s after liftoff, at an altitude of 12,965 ft. The maximum altitude achieved by the vehicle is 18,870 ft. Concluding Remarks This paper indicates that it may be possible to design a simple reusable rocket. The next step will be to build and test such a vehicle. This design could be extended and adapted to larger vehicles in order to attain the higher altitudes that are required in some of the applications of sounding rockets, such as upper-atmosph eric experiments.
In-Process Detection of Fastener Grip Length Using Embedded Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, a diagnostics and root-cause analysis scheme for real-time monitoring of process quality of pull-type fastening operations is presented. The proposed approach encompasses (1) integrating a strain gage, an LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transducer), a pressure sensor, and a mote on a pull-type pneumatic tool; (2) monitoring process parameters coming from embedded sensors communicated wirelessly via the mote and generating process signatures in real-time; and (3) detecting anomalies in real-time in the process signatures for quality problems related to the grip length deviation in pull-type fastening operations. A feature extraction-based diagnostic methodology is employed to make decisions in terms of grip length deviations in the form of normal grip, over grip, and under grip. The process signature of strain-over-displacement versus displacement has shown unique features that are extracted to determine the quality of the fastening process. In addition, air pressure is also continuously monitored in real-time during the process since it also affects the quality of the fastening operation. The overall architecture has been implemented on a Huck45 pull-type tool, which is a hand-held pneumatic fastening tool used extensively in the aerospace industry, with lock-bolt fasteners. The prototype has been tested under a variety of experimental settings in order to verify its effectiveness and validate its performance over a wide range of different sheet metal thicknesses used for fastening. The experiments have shown that the proposed approach is successful, with an accuracy of over 96%, in determining the quality of fastening operations and in communicating the quality information in real-time using a wireless network to a server. Overall, the proposed architecture has merits to (1) detect quality problems in real-time during the fastening process and (2) reduce post-process inspection, thereby improving quality while reducing cost. In addition, the proposed approach facilitates 100% data collection on each fastener as opposed to traditional statistical process control (SPC) techniques, which rely on sampling.© 2007 ASME
PUMA mediates the apoptotic response to p53 in colorectal cancer cells

Although several genes that might mediate p53-induced apoptosis have been proposed, none have previously been shown to play an essential role in this process through a rigorous gene disruption approach. We used a gene-targeting approach to evaluate p53-mediated death in human colorectal cancer cells. Expression of p53 in these cells induces growth arrest through transcriptional activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. If p21 is disrupted via gene targeting, the cells die through apoptosis. If the PUMA gene is also disrupted in such cells, apoptosis is prevented. The effects of PUMA on apoptosis were observed after exogenous overexpression of p53 as well as after exposure to hypoxia, a physiologic activator of p53, and DNA damage. The PUMA protein interacts with Bcl-XL and promotes mitochondrial translocation and multimerization of Bax. Accordingly, genetic disruption of BAX makes cells resistant to the apoptosis resulting from PUMA expression. These results suggest that the balance between PUMA and p21 is pivotal in determining the responses to p53 activation and provide a model for understanding the basis of p53 mutations in human cancer.
Identification of tungstate complexes in lithium-tungstate-borate glasses by Raman spectroscopy☆

Changes in the Raman spectra of (Li2B4O7)0.5(WO3)0.5 glasses, when prepared under slightly different conditions, are interpreted as arising from tungstate complexes in the glass matrix; one of the observed extra vibrational modes can be correlated with a permanent blue color center which is reminiscent of the electrochemically induced tungsten bronze centers.
Modeling of structural coupling for assessment of modal properties of twin tall buildings with a skybridge

This paper describes analytical modeling of structural coupling for generic twin buildings with a skybridge. The structural coupling of the interconnected buildings is modeled by introducing a six-degree-of-freedom model lumped at the skybridge level. The equations of motion of the reduced system are derived. In free vibration analysis, the natural frequencies and modal shapes are obtained for various levels of the relative stiffness of the inter-building beam representing the skybridge. Dependence of the calculated natural frequencies and modes of vibration on the skybridge stiffness is investigated. The empirical formulas to describe these quantities are proposed for preliminary design of twin buildings with structural coupling.
Women in academic emergency medicine.

Objective: To evaluate the achievement gof women in academic emergency medicine (EM) rel- ative to men. Methods: This study was a cross-sec- tional mail survey of all emergency physicians who were employed at three-fourths full-time equivalent or greater at the 105 EM residency programs in the United States from August 1997 to December 1997. The following information was obtained: demograph- ics, training and practice issues, roles and responsi- bilities in academic EM, percentage of time spent per week in clinical practice, teaching, administrative and research activities, academic productivity, and funding. Results: Of the 1,575 self-administered questionnaires distributed by the office of the chairs, 1,197 (76%) were returned. Two hundred seventy- four (23%) of the respondents were women, and 923 (77%) were men. There was a significant difference noted between men and women in all demographic categories. The numbers of respondents who were nonwhite were extremely small in the sample and, therefore, the authors are hesitant to draw any con- clusions based on race/ethnicity. There was no differ- ence in training in EM between men and women (82% vs 82%, p = 0.288), but a significantly higher propor- tion of male respondents were board-certified in EM (84% vs 76%, p < 0.002). Women in academic EM were less likely to hold major leadership positions, spent a greater percentage of time in clinical and teaching activities, published less in peer-reviewed journals, and were less likely to achieve senior aca- demic rank in their medical schools. Conclusions: These findings mirror those of most medical special- ties: academic achievement of women in academic EM lags behind that of men. The paucity of minority physicians in academic EM didn't permit analysis of their academic achievements. Key words: academic emergency medicine; women; gender. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2000; 7:999-1007
Micro foundations for meso and macro economic theory

The natures of rational thought and rational lives are described as the basis of an adaptive economizing theory which presents an alternative microeconomic foundation contrasting with but complementary to optimal control theory for modeling mesoeconomic order. Contrastingly, that micro foundation seems to imply the inappropriateness of representing macro data as an optimal economic agent. Rather, direct representation of the emergent causal order in the macroeconomic data is suggested.
Quantum Magnetic Hamiltonians with Remarkable Spectral Properties

The Hamiltonian, $H$, of a spinless particle moving in two dimensions in an axially symmetric magnetic field $B(\ensuremath{\rho})$ is considered. If $B(\ensuremath{\rho})\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\rho}}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ for $\ensuremath{\rho}$, large with $0l\ensuremath{\alpha}l1$, then it is shown that $H$ has spectrum [$0, \ensuremath{\infty}$) with only eigenvectors and eigenvalues dense in [$0, \ensuremath{\infty}$). If $\ensuremath{\alpha}=1$, then the spectrum is a dense point spectrum in [0, $c$] for suitable $c$ and absolutely continuous in [$c, \ensuremath{\infty}$).
Neutron scattering from polymers

Abstract Neutron spectroscopy has become well established in the investigation of crystal nuclear and magnetic structure, lattice dynamics of simple crystals, and some liquids. Most applications to polymer solids have been by incoherent methods rather than more powerful coherent methods primarily because of limitations imposed by the targets themselves. The basic difference between coherent and incoherent scattering is the simultaneous measurement of energy and momentum conservation. Nuclear properties determine the degree of incoherence, which in turn determines the type of experiment. The two isotopes of hydrogen, H and D, provide the extreme contrast, H being the largest known incoherent scatterer. This fact has been exploited in the past several years to examine the conformation of “tagged” polymer chains in bulk and solution. The technique is equivalent to small-angle X-ray scattering, but the “contrast factor” for tagged chains, produced by the difference in coherent amplitude from H and D, makes th...
Variances of Prediction Errors for Differences of Estimated Genetic Values of Cows in the Same and in Different Herds

A modification of the evaluation method for cows in the northeast United States allowed simultaneous evaluation of cows in pairs of herds and computation of variances of prediction errors of differences of genetic potential between pairs of cows within and across herds. These variances were examined for 20 pairs of herds in Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss breeds. Current evaluations of cows are nearly as accurate for comparing cows from different herds as they are for comparing cows from the same herd.
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)-associated dysfunction of blood monocytes.

Abstract HHV-6 is a recently described member of the herpesvirus family. HHV-6-associated marrow failure and interstitial pneumonitis where macrophages are the primary infected cell type have been described in marrow transplant patients (Carrigan, 1991; Drobyski et al., 1993). In recent studies we have shown that exposure of normal human marrow to HHV-6 GS (a type A strain) or several type B strains resulted in suppression of growth factor induced outgrowth of macrophages by > 90% (Burd and Carrigan, 1993). Additional experiments using HHV-6 GS to characterize the effects of the virus on peripheral blood monocytes showed that the respiratory burst capacity of these cells as determined by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence using phorbol myristate acetate as a trigger was decreased by 83% ± 13% in a series of 5 experiments. The decreased respiratory burst was evident as early as 15 min after exposure to virus. Experiments in which cells were separated on a fluorescence activated cell sorter prior to respiratory burst assay showed that the response was mediated solely by peripheral blood monocytes. The respiratory burst response of virus-exposed cells to opsonized zymosan was not affected, indicating that the virus may selectively interfere with the protein kinase C pathway of cellular activation. Ultracentrifugation of stock material to remove infectious virus showed that the suppressive factor was associated with the supernatant fraction. These findings suggest that HHV-6 infection may be associated with a defect in one of the major monocyte activation pathways, and this could be of importance with respect to persistent infection by HHV-6 in immune compromised patients.
Toward a Theory of Sub-Group Formation in the United States Supreme Court

IN RECENT YEARS those studying the behavior of judges appear to have concentrated on two goals. First, they have attempted to develop methods and techniques for analyzing behavioral data in the judicial area.' In addition, some effort has been made to alert the profession to the advantages of enlarging our span of attention to include "action" as well as "institution."2 While this research has been suggestive, it is fair to say that little in the way of substantive theory has been produced.3 In spite of the relatively large amount of resources devoted to the study of judici-al voting blocs, for example, attempts to theorize about the dynamics of such groupings have been few indeed. Yet voting blocs in judicial institutions par-
Random laser action in semiconductor powder

We report the first observation of random laser action with coherent feedback in semiconductor powder. Since the scattering mean free path is less than the emission wavelength, recurrent light scattering arises and provides coherent feedback for lasing. Discrete lasing modes have been observed above the threshold. The dependence of the lasing threshold intensity on the excitation volume agrees with the random laser theory. Laser emission from the powder could be observed in all directions. This observation also provides direct evidence for the existence of recurrent scattering of light.
An integrated remote sensing and GIS analysis of the Kufrah Paleoriver, Eastern Sahara

Abstract A combined remote sensing (optical and radar imagery) and GIS (hydrologic network delineation) analysis allows mapping of the Kufrah Paleoriver of Libya and sheds light on its geomorphic evolution during the Neogene. The Kufrah system, which is now largely buried beneath the windblown sands of the Eastern Sahara, drained an area of about 236,000 km 2 in central and southern Libya. The river discharged across a large inland delta to the Al-Jaghbub depression in northern Libya, and ultimately through the Sirt Basin to the Mediterranean Sea. Radar imagery reveals buried features of the landscape including drainage divides, locations of possible stream capture, deeply-incised valleys, and the distal margins of the inland delta. Previous studies have shown that the Kufrah Paleoriver is the successor of the Sahabi River, which drained most of central Libya during the late Tertiary. Satellite imagery supports the concept of large-scale drainage rearrangement in the Quaternary, driven by tectonic subsidence that diverted streamflow and sediment discharge away from the Sahabi basin toward the inland delta of the lower Kufrah basin. Paleochannels crossing the delta suggest that at various times during the Quaternary, the Kufrah Paleoriver either drained externally through the deeply-incised Sahabi Paleochannel to the Mediterranean Sea, or drained internally to paleolakes in the Al-Jaghbub depression. Thick alluvial deposits on the delta and lake margins likely provided a major sediment source to build the Great Sand Sea, which covers the region today. The southwestern branch of the Kufrah drainage is aligned with an elongated trough that connects to the Amatinga River system in Chad. Thus the Kufrah watershed may have served as an outlet from Megalake Chad to the Mediterranean Sea during humid phases of the Neogene. If so, the combined Amatinga/Kufrah system may have served as one of the proposed natural corridors used by human and animal populations to cross the Sahara during the Pleistocene. These findings hold promise for modeling past lake levels and paleoclimates, locating groundwater sources in the region, and exploring for reservoirs of oil and natural gas in the region.
Polychlorinated biphenyl-induced decrease in liver vitamin A in Japanese quail and rats.

‘Aroclor 1242’ (PCB) or DDT increased liver weight and lipids and decreased liver vitamin A of male and female rats or male Japanese quail. Laying female quail did not show consistent changes, presumably due to mobilization of lipid and vitamin A for egg yolk. When egg laying was inhibited, PCB reduced liver vitamin A 50%. ‘Aroclor 1242’ reduced egg production, but had no effect on egg weight or eggshell thickness.
A novel regimen of vorinostat with interferon gamma for refractory Sézary syndrome

Long-term prognosis for advanced stages of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma may be beneficially altered with the use of multimodality therapy. However, refractory disease exists in which current therapeutic options fail to halt the progression of disease. We present 3 cases of refractory Sezary syndrome in which the combination of vorinostat and interferon gamma was well tolerated and produced significant clinical improvement. The potential immunologic basis for this is discussed.
Tolerance to a protein antigen in a poikilotherm, the marine toad Bufo marinus.

IN spite of all the immunological studies which have been carried out with poikilothermic vertebrates, there have been no quantitative studies of the induction of tolerance to purified anitgens, yet such studies might account for the difficulties often encountered in the immunization of lower vertebrates. Moreover, they should have a direct bearing on the phylogenetic emergence of the mechanisms involved in this crucial aspect of immunity. In this article, we shall show that adult marine toads (Bufo marinus) can be made tolerant to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by pretreatment with supraoptimal doses of the antigen.
Structure of cytochrome c551 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa refined at 1.6 A resolution and comparison of the two redox forms.

Abstract The molecular structures of ferri- and ferrocytochrome c 551 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been refined at a resolution of 1.6 A, to an R factor of 19.5% for the oxidized molecule and 18.7% for the reduced. Reduction of oxidized crystals with ascorbate produced little change in cell dimensions, a 10% mean change in F obs , and no damage to the crystals. The heme iron is not significantly displaced from the porphyrin plane. Bond lengths from axial ligands to the heme iron are as expected in a low-spin iron compound. A total of 67 solvent molecules were incorporated in the oxidized structure, and 73 in the reduced, of which four are found inside the protein molecule. The oxidized and reduced forms have virtually identical tertiary structures with 2 ° root-mean-square differences in main-chain torsion angles φ and ψ, but with larger differences along the two edges of the heme crevice. The difference map and pyrrole ring tilt suggest that a partially buried water molecule (no. 23) in the heme crevice moves upon change of oxidation state. Pseudomonas cytochrome c 551 differs from tuna cytochrome c in having: (1) a water molecule (no. 23) at the upper left of the heme crevice; that is, between Pro62 and the heme pyrrol 3 ring on the sixth ligand Met61 side, where tuna cytochrome c has an evolutionary invariant Phe82 ring; (2) a string of hydrophobic side-chains along the left side of the heme crevice, and fewer positively charged lysines in the vicinity; and (3) a more exposed and presumably more easily ionizable heme propionate group at the bottom of the molecule. A network of hydrogen bonds in the heme crevice is reminiscent of that inside the heme crevice of tuna cytochrome c . As in tuna, a slight motion of the water molecule toward the heme is observed in the oxidized state, helping to give the heme a more polar microenvironment. The continuity of solvent environment between the heme crevice and the outer medium could explain the greater dependence of redox potential on pH in cytochrome c 551 than in cytochrome c .
Compressed-sensing Photoacoustic Imaging based on random optical illumination

Limited-view acquisition suffers from artefacts and loss of resolution for reconstruction-based Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI). In this paper, a completely new acquisition and reconstruction scheme is reported to achieve artefact-free imaging from limited-view acquisition. The method employs spatially and temporally varying random optical illumination instead of the uniform illumination used in conventional PAI methods. Compressed Sensing (CS) is also used to reduce the number of random illuminations for fast data acquisition speed. Numerical simulations demonstrated that images can be recovered from acquisitions with as few as two transducer view angles. This novel scheme can potentially eliminate both the mechanical scanning of single-element ultrasonic transducer and the expensive ultrasonic array transducer.
The Structure of Cognitive Abilities in Youths with Manic Symptoms: A Factorial Invariance Study.

This study compared the structure of cognitive ability (specifically, verbal/crystallized [Gc] and visual-spatial ability [Gv]), as measured in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, in youth with manic symptoms with a nationally representative group of similarly aged youth. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis found the majority of the estimated parameters were invariant between the groups, although there was a difference in the intercepts for the Similarities subtest and difference in unique variances for the Picture Completion, Comprehension, and Picture Arrangement subtests. Thus, although there are many neurological changes associated with manic symptoms, the structure of verbal/crystallized and visual-spatial abilities appear relatively robust and invariant. As Gc and Gv are the primary domains on all the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children, results also indicate that clinical interpretation of the Wechsler scales may be appropriate to measure cognitive performance in youths with manic symptoms.
Frege on Vagueness and Ordinary Language

Frege supposedly believes that vague predicates have no referent or Bedeutung. But given other things he evidently believes, such a position would seem to commit him to a suspect nihilism according to which assertoric sentences containing vague predicates are neither true nor false. I argue that we have good reason to resist ascribing to Frege the view that vague predicates have no Bedeutung and thus good reason to resist seeing him as committed to the suspect nihilism.
The Effect of Operator Orientation in Crane Control

It is often very difficult for humans to control cranes due to their inherent oscillatory nature and sluggish response. Tasks are made even harder when the operator moves around the workspace and changes his/her orientation. Traditionally, the driving axes on cranes have been independent of operator orientation and location. When the operators change the direction they are facing, their “Forward” direction is not consistent with “Forward” on the crane control interface. This paper describes two novel ways to reduce this problem and shows their effectiveness in a human operator study.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Isomeric molecular identification by UV laser photofragmentation

Abstract An apparatus is described which provides an alternative to collisional activation for distinguishing some selected isomeric molecular ions. A mass filter selects the molecular ion beam, which is crossed by the output of an excimer laser. Photofragmentation products are monitored by a magnetic sector mass spectrometer downstream of the interaction zone. Five criteria can be used to distinguish between isomeric molecular ions: (1) the photofragment mass spectra; (2) the normalized photogfragment intensities; (3) the kinetic energy spectra of the observed photofragments; (4) the dependence of criteria (1)–(3) on laser polarization; and (5) the dependence of criteria (1)–(4) on the laser wavelength. The scheme is applied to the isomeric pair HCO + −COH + . At 193 nm, decomposition into the products CO + +H is barely endothermic for HCO + but ca. 1.7 eV exothermic for COH + . The normalized intensity of CO + from photofragmentation of a presumed COH + target is found to be nine times that from an HCO + target.
The regulatory role of protein in the estrogen-stimulated change in the nearest-neighbor frequency of rat uterine RNA synthesized in vitro.

Abstract The nearest neighbor frequency of [ 32 P]RNA synthesized in Vitro from a rat uterine nuclear-myofibrillar fraction or from isolated rat uterine nuclei was changed to a higher (GpG + CpG) (ApG + UpG) ratio by a 4-hr in vivo exposure to estradiol-17B. This hormone-stimulated change in the nearest-neighbor frequency, however, was prevented when cycloheximide was injected intraperitoneally prior to and 3 hr after estrogen administration or when present during a 1-hr incubation of surviving uteri from hormone-treated rats. The data suggest that continuous protein synthesis is necessary for the transcription of newly made uterine RNA.
Effects of short-sale restrictions☆

Abstract A recently developed simplified portfolio construction scheme is used here to compare empirically the characteristics of optimal equity holdings with and without restrictions on the sale of borrowed securities. Among other results, unrestricted portfolios are found to have less overall risk, and more return per unit of portfolio risk, than positions restricted to long-only holdings.
DFR, moving from 4 traditional to 33 innovative ways to improve reliability

The reliability and Design for Reliability (DFR) guidelines, discussed are based on established design principles and rapid innovation methods for failure avoidance. These guidelines can move you, your design team and your organization from one which simply tracks, charts, and reports reliability, to one that engages meaningful Design for Reliability (DFR) activities and initiates powerful but inexpensive corrective actions; resulting in maximum equipment availability and reliability. Your organization can thus be one that achieves and exceeds reliability requirements and improves product image and sales, due to a product reputation for reliability and quality.
The City as a Force: Three Novels by Cyprian Ekwensi.

Over the past century and a half, the flux and chaos of the urban experience have proven typical enough to link thematically writers in diverse cultures. Continued industrialization and the consequent mass flight to the cities define modem societies. (Commuter suburbs are still appendages of the cities and cannot be mistaken for the "country.") The personal costs of the transition are many, for the move from the country to the city can mean a leap in time as well as in space and this demands a sudden change in consciousness. For example, the folklore used to educate and guide generations of country folk is surrendered under the frequently mistaken notion that its lessons do not apply to the cities. Since folklore demonstrates values, new heroes must be raised for a cultural mythology relevant to the cities. This process is certainly not an easy or quick one. It demands many ingredients, the first of which is the clear sense of community which it will in turn accelerate. In the meantime, what becomes the guideposts for our actions? Unquestionably the sacrifice of a well-charted communal map of experience is a painful one, whether we are talking about Lagos or New York. The presentation of human drama in such frameworks makes instant links in the literatures of West Africa and Afro-America.
Carotid anomaly in CHARGE association: A case report §

Introduction: Vascular anomalies outside the chest are rare in the CHARGE population and can make surgical interventions more challenging. Case: We report a case of the right carotid artery arising from the left carotid artery and crossing high in the neck leading to a complication during tracheostomy. Discussion: Vascular anomalies should be suspected in children with CHARGE association and steps should be taken to avoid complications during tracheostomy.
THE IMPORTANCE CONSUMERS PLACE ON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

A relevant, timely issue in the professional services area is that of marketing. Should professional service providers actively market their services? And, if so, how? Many professionals have already stepped into the marketing arena, but without first understanding the nature of their target market(s). This article concentrates on one area of the user market that should be known and understood by all professional service marketers: What level of consumer interest or perceived personal importance typifies the purchase of a professional service?
Intensive Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Exogenous insulin is eventually required in many patients with type 2 diabetes due to a progressive decline in pan- creatic γ-cell function. Insulin is usually initiated when other therapeutic modalities have failed to achieve glycemic control. Candidates for intensive management should be motivated, compliant, educable, and without other medical conditions and physical limitations that would preclude accurate and reliable monitoring and insulin administration. When combination therapy with a basal insulin plus oral antidiabetic drugs is not successful, therapy may be intensi- fied with a premixed or split-mixed regimen of intermediate- and fast-acting insulin equally divided between the pre- breakfast and predinner periods. For patients who do not achieve glucose control on combination basal or split-mixed regimens, an intensive basal-bolus multiple-injection regimen is indicated. Continuous SC insulin infusion pumps may be particularly useful in patients who do not respond satisfactorily to more conventional treatment strategies. Fast- acting insulin analogues should be used in the majority of patients requiring insulin because of their more physiologic pharmacokinetic profile. Inhaled insulin is a new alternative to SC insulin for patients with type 2 diabetes requiring insulin. (Insulin. 2007;2(Suppl B):$34-$40.
Co-Expression of Bacterial Aspartate Kinase and Adenylylsulfate Reductase Genes Substantially Increases Sulfur Amino Acid Levels in Transgenic Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops used to feed livestock, such as cattle and sheep, and the sulfur amino acid (SAA) content of alfalfa is used as an index of its nutritional value. Aspartate kinase (AK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of aspartate to Asp-phosphate, the first step in the aspartate family biosynthesis pathway, and adenylylsulfate reductase (APR) catalyzes the conversion of activated sulfate to sulfite, providing reduced sulfur for the synthesis of cysteine, methionine, and other essential metabolites and secondary compounds. To reduce the feedback inhibition of other metabolites, we cloned bacterial AK and APR genes, modified AK, and introduced them into alfalfa. Compared to the wild-type alfalfa, the content of cysteine increased by 30% and that of methionine increased substantially by 60%. In addition, a substantial increase in the abundance of essential amino acids (EAAs), such as aspartate and lysine, was found. The results also indicated a close connection between amino acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The total amino acid content and the forage biomass tested showed no significant changes in the transgenic plants. This approach provides a new method for increasing SAAs and allows for the development of new genetically modified crops with enhanced nutritional value.
Nutrient Absorption in Invertebrates

The sections in this article are: 1 Modes of Nutrient Absorption 1.1 Types of Absorption 1.2 Carrier-Mediated Transport 2 Mechanisms of Soluble Nutrient Absorption 2.1 Diffusion 2.2 Facilitated Diffusion 2.3 Primary Active Transport 2.4 Secondary Active Transport 3 Kinetic and Energetic Aspects of Nutrient Transport 3.1 Kinetics 3.2 Energetics 4 Sites of Nutrient Absorption 4.1 Gastrointestinal Absorption 4.2 Integumental Absorption 5 Experimental Systems Employed for the Measurement of Nutrient Transport 5.1 Intacf Animals 5.2 Isolated Tissues 5.3 Isolated Cells 5.4 Cultured Cells 5.5 Subcellular Membrane Preparations 6 Nutrient Transport in Molluscs 6.1 Alimentary Nutrient Absorption 6.2 Integumental Nutrient Absorption 7 Nutrient Transport in Annelids 7.1 Alimentary Nutrient Absorption 7.2 Integumental Nutrient Absorption 7.3 General Characteristics of Integumental Transport in Annelids 7.4 Nutritional Role of Integumental Uptake in Marine Annelids 8 Nutrient Transport in Echinoderms 8.1 Alimentary Nutrient Absorption 8.2 Integumental Nutrient Absorption 9 Nutrient Transport in Coelenterates 9.1 Alimentary Transport 9.2 Integumental Transport 10 Nutrient Transport in Arthropods 10.1 Nutrient Transport in Insects 10.2 Nutrient Transport in Crustaceans 11 Conclusion
Performance analysis and optimization of switched diversity systems

We evaluate and optimize the performance of switch and stay diversity systems which have the advantage of offering one of the least complex solutions to mitigating the effect of fading. We study the impact of fading type and severity, unbalanced branches, fading correlation, and imperfect channel estimation on the performance of these systems, and compare this performance with that of more complex diversity schemes such as maximal-ratio combining and selection combining. Because of the simple forms of the performance expressions, the results offer a useful analytical tool for the accurate performance evaluation and optimization of switched diversity systems.
Depth from Defocus of Structured Light

We propose a new range sensing technique that uses defocus of structured light to measure depth. The technique is an extension of the original passive depth-from-defocus idea to an active, structured-light system. Depth from defocus of structured light has similar properties as structured light triangulation, but it avoids the "missing parts problem" and the "correspondence problem" by eliminating the parallax between the structured light source and the camera. We propose refinements to the technique, using either an anisotropic aperture or astigmatic optics for the light source. Both refinements use an isotropic structured light pattern and compare blur in two orthogonal directions. We point out different ways to remove the ambiguity between objects behind and in front of the plane of best focus.
Lipid Composition of Growing and Starving Cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes

The lipid composition of growing and starving cells of Arthrobacter crystallopoietes was compared. Although the lipid composition of the two cell types was similar, the amount of total lipids recovered from the starving cells was 30.4% less than that recovered from the growing cells. The loss of lipids, as compared to the loss of total cell mass during starvation, was (i) proportional to the loss of the cell mass (phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol-2, and cardiolipin), (ii) greater than the loss in cell mass (neutral lipids, “glycophospholipids,” and phosphatidic acid), or (iii) less than the loss in cell mass (coenzyme Q, glycolipids, and phosphatidylglycerol-1).
The probability of generating the symmetric group

Abstract We prove the following conjecture of J. D. Dixon: The probability that a pair of random permutations generates either, A n or S n is 1 − 1 n + O(n −2 ) . The proof is based on an (n!)−1+o(1) upper bound on the probability that a random pair of permutations generates a primitive group other than An or Sn. The proof depends on consequences of the classification of finite simple groups.
Sink depth of trolled fishing lines

During recreational troll fishing, success usually depends on the ability to maintain the lure at the desired depth. When trolling with a heavy line, one whose inherent density sinks the lure, depth control is guesswork for most anglers. This study presents a method for predicting the trolling depth of heavy fishing lines. The model is developed based on the fluid mechanics of the line being towed through quiescent water and determines line depth for known line properties and trolling speed. Experiments are performed to validate the model and results are consistent with the model predictions. The model is employed to illustrate how trolling depth can be controlled during typical fishing situations.
Nurses’ Experiences of Communicating With Hospitalized, Suddenly Speechless Patients:

We used a qualitative focus group design to explore the experiences and challenges of nurses who work with hospitalized patients experiencing the sudden inability to verbalize their needs, also known as sudden speechlessness. In response to open-ended questions in facilitated focus groups, 18 nurses discussed issues around the care and communication needs of suddenly speechless (SS) patients. Nurses identified multiple, commonly occurring communication challenges when caring for SS patients. They believed these challenges led to poorer recognition of patient needs, with the potential for compromised patient care. Nurses described how the lack of reliable strategies to facilitate communication sometimes resulted in negative patient outcomes, including unmet psychosocial needs and the potential that informed consent and educational issues were being inadequately addressed for the SS patients. Even experienced nurses indicated ongoing problems in communicating with SS patients, despite using a multitude of strategies, leaving many to deal with issues of frustration and role conflict.
Combined pre-treatment MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters as prognostic biomarkers in patients with cervical cancer.

Abstract Objective To determine the associations of quantitative parameters derived from multiphase contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI), diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with clinico-histopathological prognostic factors, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with cervical cancer. Methods and materials Our institutional review board approved this retrospective study of 49 patients (median age, 45 years) with histopathologically proven IB-IVB International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) cervical cancer who underwent pre-treatment pelvic MRI and whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT between February 2009 and May 2012. Maximum diameter ( max TD), percentage enhancement (PE) and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC mean ) of the primary tumor were measured on MRI. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Correlations between imaging metrics and clinico-histopathological parameters including revised 2009 FIGO stage, tumor histology, grade and lymph node (LN) metastasis at diagnosis were evaluated using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Cox modeling was used to determine associations with DFS and OS. Results Median follow-up was 17 months. 41 patients (83.6%) were alive. 8 patients (16.3%) died of disease. Progression/recurrence occurred in 17 patients (34.6%). Significant differences were observed in ADC mean , SUV max , MTV and TLG according to FIGO stage ( p mean , MTV, TLG and LN metastasis ( p = 0.017–0.032). SUV max was not associated with LN metastasis. FIGO stage ( p = 0.017/0.033), LN metastases ( p = 0.001/0.020), ADC mean ( p = 0.007/0.020) and MTV ( p = 0.014/0.026) were adverse predictors of both DFS/OS. max TD ( p = 0.005) and TLG ( p = 0.024) were adverse predictors of DFS. PE and SUV max did not correlate with DFS or OS ( p = 0.18–0.72). Conclusions Quantitative parameters derived from pre-treatment DW-MRI (ADC mean ) and from 18F-FDG PET/CT (MTV and TLG) were associated with high-risk features and may serve as prognostic biomarkers of survival in patients with cervical cancer.
Single-cell census of mechanosensitive channels in living bacteria

Bacteria are subjected to a host of different environmental stresses. One such insult occurs when cells encounter changes in the osmolarity of the surrounding media resulting in an osmotic shock. In recent years, a great deal has been learned about mechanosensitive (MS) channels which are thought to provide osmoprotection in these circumstances by opening emergency release valves in response to membrane tension. However, even the most elementary physiological parameters such as the number of MS channels per cell, how MS channel expression levels influence the physiological response of the cells, and how this mean number of channels varies from cell to cell remain unanswered. In this paper, we make a detailed quantitative study of the expression of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) in different media and at various stages in the growth history of bacterial cultures. Using both quantitative fluorescence microscopy and quantitative Western blots our study complements earlier electrophysiology-based estimates and results in the following key insights: i) the mean number of channels per cell is much higher than previously estimated, ii) measurement of the single-cell distributions of such channels reveals marked variability from cell to cell and iii) the mean number of channels varies under different environmental conditions. The regulation of MscL expression displays rich behaviors that depend strongly on culturing conditions and stress factors, which may give clues to the physiological role of MscL. The number of stress-induced MscL channels and the associated variability have far reaching implications for the in vivo response of the channels and for modeling of this response. As shown by numerous biophysical models, both the number of such channels and their variability can impact many physiological processes including osmoprotection, channel gating probability, and channel clustering.
Ralph Nader's Campaign Strategy in the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election

Those observing the 2000 presidential campaign agreed that Ralph Nader could not win the presidency but disagreed about his actual strategy. Many Democrats contended that he was playing the role of “spoiler” in an attempt to attract attention or affect the election outcome. Others argued that he was trying to earn 5% of the popular vote to secure matching funds for the Green Party in the next presidential election. Count models find that Nader's travel schedule, unlike Gore's, was unresponsive to the closeness of the major-party race. Nader's appearances were driven primarily by opportunities for attracting a large number of voters, suggesting that earning 5% was indeed a central campaign goal. Data on television advertising produce a parallel result. This finding resolves an ongoing debate about Nader in particular, but also points to broader differences between major and minor-party campaign strategies.
Weather and the success of parasites in population regulation

Examples and data based on the host-parasite complex of the California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), and its parasites in untreated test plots in the citrus areas of southern California, not including the San Joaquin Valley and the desert areas, show the following: (1) Weather does not impose upper limits to host population increase. (2) In areas of favorable weather, certain parasites regulate host population densities at very low levels, other factors also being favorable. (3) The parasite Aphytis lingnanensis Compere is affected by weather differentially with respect to the host, and to varying degrees in different localities. The effects of field weather for each 2-week period of the year on all stages of this parasite individually as well as on population growth in held experimental cages are discussed. Adverse effects of weather on the parasite preclude successful population regulation of the host by the parasite at certain times or in particular areas but the range of the parasite is not restricted. (4) Another parasite, Comperiella bifasciata Howard, has its range restricted by weather and not by competition with other parasites to intermediate and interior citrus growing areas. It is never found along the coast. (5) Yet another parasite, Prospaltella perniciosi Tower, has its range restricted by competition and not by weather although it gives the appearance of being restricted by weather because it occurs only in coastal districts. (6) Examples are discussed of interactions between weather and dust, ants, or chemicals with parasites and hosts which result in various modifications of the abundance of the host and parasites. (7) Examples are discussed of the effect of weather on interactions between competing species of parasites and the host which have resulted in striking modifications of the previous distribution of certain parasites.
Primary structure of a molluscan egg-specific NADase, a second-messenger enzyme.

Abstract An egg-specific NADase has been purified from the ovotestis of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. The enzyme converts NAD to cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), which is a potent mobilizer of Ca2+. It is likely that the NADase serves to raise Ca2+ levels in the ova at appropriate times. A 1.2-kb cDNA clone containing the complete coding sequence of the native NADase protein was isolated from an unamplified ovotestis cDNA library and represents the first cloning of an NADase that generates cADPR. In vitro translation studies indicate that the protein initially has a signal sequence that may help to target it to discrete vesicles of the ova in which it is found. There are 12 cysteines in the open reading frame, two of these being in the signal sequence. No part of the sequence has significant similarity to other proteins or known nucleotide binding site consensus sequences. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ selected ovotestis RNA has identified an NADase mRNA of 1.85 kb. In situ hybridization analysis of cryostat sections from ovotestis has shown that the NADase mRNA is restricted to the immature ova, although the NADase protein is present in both immature and mature eggs.