cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The crystal and molecular structures of potassium-μ-oxalato-di[tris-oxalato-lanthanate(III)]-14-hydrates K8[Ox3LnOxLnOx3]·14H2O [Ln = Tb, Dy, Er, Yb, Y]

Abstract The crystal structures of the title complexes were determined at room temperature by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes are monoclinic with space group C2/c and Z = 4. They exist as dinuclear species with two Ln3+ cations linked by a single oxalate bridge. The Ln3+ coordination polyhedron is a slightly distorted D2d dodecahedron. The dimer has crystallographic C2 symmetry with the bridging group normal to the twofold axis. Full structure determinations were carried out for Ln = Er and Y, while the structures with Ln = Tb, Dy, and Yb were determined to be isomorphous by determination of unit cell dimensions.
Unbiased Comparison of Sample Size Estimates From Longitudinal Structural Measures in ADNI

Structural changes in neuroanatomical subregions can be measured using serial magnetic resonance imaging scans, and provide powerful biomarkers for detecting and monitoring Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has made a large database of longitudinal scans available, with one of its primary goals being to explore the utility of structural change measures for assessing treatment effects in clinical trials of putative disease-modifying therapies. Several ADNI-funded research laboratories have calculated such measures from the ADNI database and made their results publicly available. Here, using sample size estimates, we present a comparative analysis of the overall results that come from the application of each laboratory's extensive processing stream to the ADNI database. Obtaining accurate measures of change requires correcting for potential bias due to the measurement methods themselves; and obtaining realistic sample size estimates for treatment response, based on longitudinal imaging measures from natural history studies such as ADNI, requires calibrating measured change in patient cohorts with respect to longitudinal anatomical changes inherent to normal aging. We present results showing that significant longitudinal change is present in healthy control subjects who test negative for amyloid-β pathology. Therefore, sample size estimates as commonly reported from power calculations based on total structural change in patients, rather than change in patients relative to change in healthy controls, are likely to be unrealistically low for treatments targeting amyloid-related pathology. Of all the measures publicly available in ADNI, thinning of the entorhinal cortex quantified with the Quarc methodology provides the most powerful change biomarker.
A method for obtaining an ordered metric scale

A method is presented for collecting data which will yield a scale on which the entities are ranked in preference (ordinality), the distances between the entities on the scale are ranked (ordered metric), and all combinations of the distances are ranked (higher-ordered metric). The sources drawn upon are von Neumann and Morgenstern (9), and lattice theory. An empirical example is given in which a higher-ordered metric scale is derived.
The microbial loop concept as used in terrestrial soil ecology studies.

Components and processes in the aquatic microbial loop are compared with the composition and functioning of the soil microbial loop. Relative to their bacterial and/or fungal food sources, many of the soil water-film fauna (e.g., protozoa, nematodes) are conspicuous by low biomasses and high turnover rates of carbon and mineral nutrients. Comparisons with production and turnover rates of aerial (pore-inhabiting) fauna are made, and the highly patchy nature of soil microhabitats is shown to be similar to that of aquatic (marine) habitats.
The Impact of the Medicaid/CHIP Expansions on Children: A Synthesis of the Evidence

This article reviews findings from 38 rigorous studies published in the peer-reviewed literature of the impact of the Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) expansions on children. There is strong evidence for increases in enrollment in public programs and reductions in uninsurance following eligibility expansions. Medicaid enrollment continued to increase during the CHIP era (a "spillover effect"). Evidence for improved access to and use of services, particularly for dental care, is also very strong. There are fewer studies of health status impacts, and the evidence is mixed. There is a very wide range in the size of effects estimated in the studies reviewed because of the methods used and the populations studied. The review identifies several important research gaps on this topic, particularly the small number of studies of the effects on health status. Both research methods and findings from the child expansions can provide insights for evaluating the coming expansions for adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Secondary ion reactions in benzene

Abstract A detailed study of secondary ion reactions in benzene was carried out in a tandem Dempster-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Branching ratios are reported for the reactions of C 6 H 5 + , C 5 H 3 + , C 4 H 4 + , C 4 H 3 + , C 4 H 2 + and C 3 H 3 + ions with C 6 H 6 , and for the unimolecular reactions of the C 12 H 12 + , C 12 H 11 + , C 12 H 10 + and C 9 H 7 + secondary ion products. The results define several reaction pathways not considered in previous investigations.
Commonalities and differences in semantic decisions about pictures and words

Three experiments investigated differences in semantic classifications of pictures and words. In Experiment 1, subjects indicated on each trial whether a given stimulus—picture or word—was or was not in a predesignated target category. Negative responses were slowed when the stimulus and target were semantically related, and this effect was greater for pictures. However, degrading pictures with a grid did not alter the effect, indicating that the picture/word difference was not due to perceptual processing. On each trial of Experiments 2 and 3, subjects indicated whether each of two successive stimuli was living or nonliving. The second response was speeded when the stimuli were related. However, this effect did not depend on the first stimulus' modality, contraindicating certain picture/word differences in activating semantic memory. The data suggested an alternative locus for picture/word classification differences: visual short-term memory.
Idiopathic Acute Interstitial Nephritis: Characterization of the Infiltrating Cells in the Renal Interstitium as T Helper Lymphocytes

A previously healthy 39-year-old man presented with acute renal failure. There was no history of exposure to drugs nor was there any infection. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis with extensive acute degenerative changes in the tubules and extensive interstitial infiltration with mononuclear cells and no eosinophils. Monoclonal antibody staining studies identified the cells in the renal interstitium to be a helper/inducer subset of T lymphocytes. We suggest that a delayed hypersensitivity mechanism played a pathogenetic role in this patient's idiopathic acute interstitial nephritis.
Ammonia production in the collecting ducts of mammalian kidneys.

COMPARED with other parts of the nephron, the cells of the collecting ducts are morphologically conspicuous by the absence of any particular differentiation. This has led to the assumption that their function is exclusively mechanical, that is, to convey the urine from the distal part of the nephron to the renal pelvis. Physiologists have not been able to assign any active cellular function to this part of the nephron, though Glimstedt1 and Wirz2 presented convincing evidence for its importance in water reabsorption and we have suggested3 that back-diffusion of ammonia might occur in this segment. Both these functions are presumably of physicochemical nature and independent of cellular activity.
Early phase acute myocardial infarct size quantification: validation of the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride tissue enzyme staining technique.

Abstract Gross histochemical delineation of myocardium which has lost dehydrogenase enzyme activity has been shown to facilitate macroscopic recognition of necrotic myocardium. The present study was undertaken to assess the accuracy of the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) technique for quantitating myocardial infarct size very early after coronary occlusion. In 16 closed-chest dogs the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded with an intra-arterial balloon. Twelve dogs were killed 6 hours after occlusion, their hearts excised, cut from apex to base into 1 cm thick slices, and incubated in TTC. Whole-mount histologic sections of each slice were prepared. Myocardial infarct size was measured by planimetry of photographs of each gross slice and histologic section using classical criteria of necrosis. Myocardial infarct size determined in 54 slices by the TTC technique and histologically was similar (25 ± 16% vs 27 ± 16% of the left ventricular mass, mean ± SD) with close correlation between the two methods ( r = 0.91). Four dogs were killed 3 hour after occlusion and TTC stained and unstained myocardium was studied by electron microscopy. When the TTC technique identified necrosis so did electron microscopy. Areas identified by the TTC technique as non-necrotic were either normal or only ischemic by electron microscopy. Thus, using TTC, necrosis can be quantitated reliably 6, and even 3 hours after coronary occlusion, before histologic changes are clearly diagnostic. This technique represents a reliable, practical means for quantitation of recent infarction and for studying the evolution of ischemic injury in its early phase.
Alkali metal adsorption on graphite : a review

The adsorption of alkali metals on graphite has been the subject of various studies for the past two decades. Briefly, two main reasons can be offered to justify the persisting interest in these adsorption systems. First, experiments have pointed out intriguing structural phase transitions of the adsorbed species, and, second, in an attempt to explain the experimental results, the more complicated question of the nature of alkali metal–graphite bonding arose. Despite the relative simplicity of the electronic structure of the alkali metals, their interaction with the graphite surface is still the subject of current debate. This review paper presents relevant experimental data and results of selected theoretical calculations that, in time, guided the process of scientific discovery towards the current understanding of the alkali metals/graphite adsorption systems.
INTEREST GROUPS, ELECTORAL COMPETITION, AND PROBABILISTIC VOTING FOR TRADE POLICIES*

Current models of trade policy formation in representative democracies lack the micro foundations from which the political actions of voters, interest groups, and policy makers can be deduced. This paper provides microfoundations for the most influential of representative democracy models, the Magee-Brock-Young (MBY) model. Probabilistic voting is formally introduced, the conditions for active lobbying are examined, uniqueness of lobbying equilibrium is established, and the responses of different groups' lobbying to exogenous changes are discussed. Finally, the existence of tariff equilibria is studied when, different from MBY, both parties share a common strategy space.
Excimer Laser Induced Cryoetching of GaAs and Related Materials

We report highly resolved, damage-free etching of GaAs and related materials. The etching is activated by excimer laser irradiation at 193 nm of samples maintained at low temperatures (∼140 K) in a chlorine atmosphere (∼5 mTorr). Since the etching is chemical in nature, structural damage to the substrate should not be present. Submicrometer resolution has been achieved by the use of electron beam lithography to pattern a Si3N4 contact mask. We have also successfully used our etching in the fabrication of a single-quantum-well, ridge-waveguide semiconductor laser.
The Bewildering World of Psychotherapy

Certain generalizations beneath the apparent chaos of the field of psychotherapy are noted, including the flourishing of psychotherapies in times of social change, the congruence of the values of popular psychotherapies with the values of their era, the similarity of improvement rates following all forms of psychotherapy, and the fact that all cohorts of patients improve on the average over time. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that persons receive psychotherapy not primarily because of specific symptoms but because they are demoralized, and that the effectiveness of all forms lies in their ability to combat this state by a particular relationship, a special setting, a conceptual scheme, and a therapeutic task which, in conjunction, arouse the patient's hopes and restore his sense of mastery over himself and his environment. Implications for the psychotherapist as a social reformer and for research in psychotherapy are considered.
Inverse correlation between dexamethasone 21-mesylate agonist activity and sensitivity to dexamethasone for induction of tyrosine aminotransferase in rat hepatoma cells

Abstract Previous results demonstrated that both the level of induction of the liver specific enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by the irreversible antiglucocorticoid dexamethasone 21-mesylate (Dex-Mes) and the concentration of the reversible glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) required for 50% of maximal TAT induction (i.e. EC50) were different in HTC and Fu5-5 rat hepatoma culture cells. In the present study, a retrospective analysis of these two parameters over an 8 yr period indicates that the absolute values of both parameters varied within each cell line over time in a reversible manner. The variation of both parameters appears to be causally related since a linear, reciprocal relationship exists between the amount of Dex-Mes agonist activity and log10 (Dex EC50) in both cell lines (correlation coefficient is −0.896 for n = 46). This relationship was independent of changes in basal TAT level, culture medium, and serum lot. Results with cloned HTC cells indicate that these temporal variations are not due to fluctuations in the relative abundance of two cell populations displaying either high or low amounts of agonist activity with Dex-Mes. While these analyses relied on the detection of enzyme levels, the amount of TAT mRNA is shown to parallel the enzyme levels. Thus the variation in parameters of TAT induction by Dex and by Dex-Mes appears to be modulated at a pre-translational step. Such variations have not previously been observed for the control of specific gene transcripts by other steroid hormones and may be related to the known differences in agonist activity seen for most antisteroids in various systems.
The strengths of H2O lines in the 8200 Å region and their application to high dispersion spectra of Mars

The improvement in the quality of spectroscopic plates taken in recent years in the search for water vapor in the atmosphere of Mars has dictated the need for improved laboratory data with which to interpret the spectra. This paper presents the results of measurements of the strengths of 41 lines of the 8200 A (211) water vapor band. The measured values show evidence of vibration-rotation interactions on the line intensities, beyond the principal stretching effect.
Guidelines for a Progression and Remediation Policy Using Standardized Tests to Prepare Associate Degree Nursing Students for the NCLEX-RN at a Rural Community College

This article explores the experiences of nursing students and faculty at a rural community college that recently implemented a progression policy requiring students to achieve passing scores on standardized assessments to progress in the nursing program. By simulating the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and predicting the likelihood of success, computerized standard assessments provide feedback, allowing nursing faculty to identify at-risk students, remediate, and develop test-taking strategies prior to the NCLEX-RN. Guidelines for nursing programs considering such a policy will also be addressed.
Interferon-β expressed by a rabies virus-based HIV-1 vaccine vector serves as a molecular adjuvant and decreases pathogenicity

Type I interferon is important in anti-viral responses and in coordinating the innate immune response. Here we explore the use of interferon-beta to adjuvant the response to a rabies virus (RV) vaccine vector expressing both HIV-1 Gag and IFN-beta. Viral load and immune responses of immunized mice were analyzed over time. Our results indicate that the RV expressing IFN-beta (IFN+) is highly attenuated when compared to control RV and demonstrate that the expression of IFN-beta reduces viral replication approximately 100-fold. Despite the decrease in replication, those mice immunized with the IFN+ RV had a significantly greater number of activated CD8+ T cells. The increased activation of CD8+ T cells was dependent on IFN-beta signaling, as we saw no difference following infection of IFNAR-/- mice. Although mice immunized with IFN+ have a greater primary immune response than controls, immunized mice that were challenged with vaccinia-expressing Gag had no significant difference in the number or functionality of CD8+ T cells. The increased CD8+ T cell activation in the presence of IFN-beta, even with greatly reduced viral replication, indicates the beneficial effect of IFN-beta for the host.
Why should ‘geography’ matter to public health managers?

This paper provides an overview of some of the uses of geographic information systems (GIS) in public health management – diagnosing and investigating health problems, analysing environmental hazards, analysing locations and access to health services, planning the use of health services and resources, managing public health emergencies, and disease surveillance. It enumerates a number of applications of GIS in epidemiology and healthcare research in the developing world, followed by an analysis of the diarrheal disease in the Philippines. Using a combination of descriptive methods, this study presents a visual comparison of distribution of diarrheal disease incidence and distribution of households with sanitary infrastructure and safe drinking water across provinces in the Philippines. A spatial autoregressive model is performed in order to examine whether there is spatial dependence of disease occurrence among provinces. The paper concludes with a discussion of extending the spatial methods to study other issues in public health research and its uses to public health managers.
Multiterawatt chirped-pulse amplification sources: basic design considerations

The combination of broadly tunable solid-state lasers and the technique of chirped pulse amplification has made it possible to produce energetic, femtosecond pulses capable of focused intensities > 10 18 W/cm 2 . In addition, these lasers, which have multi-terawatt peak power capability, can be designed in very compact and robust configurations. Further, the average power capability of solid-state chirped pulse amplification sources can now exceed 1 W, as compared to the 10 mW average power limitation of previous femtosecond lasers.
Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains from Contaminated Raw Beef Trim during “High Event Periods”

The development and implementation of effective antimicrobial interventions by the beef processing industry in the United States have dramatically reduced the incidence of beef trim contamination by Escherichia coli O157:H7. However, individual processing plants still experience sporadic peaks in contamination rates where multiple E. coli O157:H7-positive lots are clustered in a short time frame. These peaks have been referred to as “high event periods” (HEP) of contamination. The results reported here detail the characterization of E. coli O157:H7 isolates from 21 HEP across multiple companies and processing plants to gain insight regarding the mechanisms causing these incidents. Strain genotypes were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and isolates were investigated for characteristics linking them to human illness. Through these analyses, it was determined that individual HEP show little to no diversity in strain genotypes. Hence, each HEP has one strain type that makes up most, if not all, of the contamination. This is shown to differ from the genotypic diversity of E. coli O157:H7 found on the hides of cattle entering processing plants. In addition, it was found that a large proportion (81%) of HEP are caused by strain types associated with human illness. These results pose a potential challenge to the current model for finished product contamination during beef processing.
Postoral Glucose Sensing, Not Caloric Content, Determines Sugar Reward in C57BL/6J Mice

Recent studies suggest that because of their energy value, sugars are more rewarding than non-caloric sweeteners. However, intragastric infusion data indicate that sugars differ in their postoral appetite-stimulating effects. We therefore compared the preference for isocaloric 8% sucrose, glucose, and fructose solutions with that of a non-caloric sweetener solution (0.8% sucralose) in C57BL/6J mice. Brief 2-bottle tests indicated that sucralose was isopreferred to sucrose but more preferred than glucose or fructose. Yet, in long-term tests, the mice preferred sucrose and glucose, but not fructose to sucralose. Additional experiments were conducted with a non-caloric 0.1% sucralose + 0.1% saccharin mixture (S + S), which does not have the postoral inhibitory effects of 0.8% sucralose. The S + S was preferred to fructose in brief and long-term choice tests. S + S was also preferred to glucose and sucrose in brief tests, but the sugars were preferred in long-term tests. In progressive ratio tests, non-deprived and food-deprived mice licked more for glucose but not fructose than for S + S. These findings demonstrate that the nutrient-specific postoral actions, not calories per se, determine the avidity for sugar versus non-caloric sweeteners. Furthermore, sweet taste intensity and potential postoral inhibitory actions must be considered in comparing non-caloric and caloric sweeteners.
Ventricular Fibrillation in Two Infants Treated with Amiodarone Hydrochloride

Antiarrhythmic agents may induce ventricular arrhythmias. Whereas amiodarone is a reported cause of ventricular fibrillation in children, there are no reported cases in infants. We observed two patients with atrial flutter and congestive heart failure who were treated with amiodarone. Both had anatomic heart defects and had failed conventional therapy. Ventricular fibrillation occurred 3 and 12 days after the initial dose. Q-T interval, electrolytes, digoxin level, and amiodarone level (one patient) were normal. Amiodarone may provoke life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias during the convalescent period. Consideration should be given to monitoring in a hospital setting for at least 2 weeks following initiation of amiodarone therapy.
Internally consistent libraries of fluorogenic substrates demonstrate that Kex2 protease specificity is generated by multiple mechanisms.

Kex2 protease from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the prototype for a family of eukaryotic proprotein processing proteases. To clarify understanding of the interactions responsible for substrate recognition in this family of enzymes, we have carried out a systematic examination of Kex2 substrate specificity using internally consistent sets of substrates having substitutions at only one or two positions. We examined Kex2 sequence recognition for residues at P3, P2, and P1 using two types of fluorogenic peptide substrates, peptidyl-methylcoumarinamides and internally quenched substrates in which cleavage occurs at an actual peptide bond. Kinetic analysis of the two sets of substrates gave comparable data on specificity at these three positions. For the best substrate sequences, high catalytic constants (kcat/KM) of (2−5) × 107 M-1 s-1 were seen for cleavage of both peptidyl-methylcoumarinamides and peptide bonds. While no evidence for positive interactions with the P3 residue emerged, Kex2 was found ...
Cage location effects on visitor attendance at three Sacramento Zoo mangabey enclosures

Research on the effects of enrichment would do well to consider carefully location and/or visitor habituation effects on animal behavior. In the present series of studies, 19,847 visitors to the Sacramento Zoo were counted and categorized by age and sex as they appeared at each of three mangabey cages having only slightly different locations within the zoo. A cage nearest the exit/entrance received significantly more visitors (had greater attracting power) than did a cage away from the exit but on the main path, while the latter cage had more patronage than a cage that was only a few feet off the main walkway. These effects persisted through both subtle and complete changes in the animal inhabitants of the cages. These very strong effects, which are similar to those described by Melton's (Pychological Bulletin 30:720, 721, 1983; Museum News 14(3):6–8, 1936) classic “exit gradient” as well as to other possible effects of simple location (e.g., visitor habituation) are particularly important for species that are behaviorally responsive to visitors.
Proprioception and the McGurk effect

The report “Sensorimotor adaptation in speech production” by J. F. Houde and M. I. Jordan (20 Feb., p. [1213][1]) demonstrates that people adjust their speech production to compensate for acoustic feedback alteration. The fact that most of the study volunteers compensated incompletely for the acoustic changes, taken together with the fact that the volunteers were unaware that feedback was being altered, indicates a significant discovery not mentioned in the original report: a “proprioceptive McGurk effect” on the perception of one's own speech. The well-known McGurk effect is the phenomenon of altered phonetic perception induced by the simultaneous experience of conflicting auditory and visual information ([1][2]). For example, hearing “ba” while viewing the mouth of a speaker saying “ga” causes one to perceive “da.” Houde and Jordan's experiment illustrates an analogous effect in which the conflicting information is not visual, but proprioceptive. For example, in the condition in which the sound [e] was shifted toward [i], a volunteer intending to say “pep” produced an utterance similar to “pap” and received acoustic feedback approximating “pip,” but nevertheless perceived “pep.” The articulatory proprioceptive feedback was inconsistent with the auditory feedback, and a percept intermediate (in F1, F2 formant space) between the two types of feedback resulted. While the McGurk effect has been a widely used tool in investigating multimodal integration processes, it has heretofore been limited to the interaction between visual and auditory modalities. The real-time acoustic feedback alteration paradigm of Houde and Jordan expands this useful tool to the proprioceptive modality. 1. [↵][3]1. H. McGurk, 2. J. MacDonald , Nature 264, 746 (1976). [OpenUrl][4][CrossRef][5][PubMed][6][Web of Science][7] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.279.5354.1213 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNature%26rft.stitle%253DNature%26rft.aulast%253DMcGurk%26rft.auinit1%253DH.%26rft.volume%253D264%26rft.issue%253D5588%26rft.spage%253D746%26rft.epage%253D748%26rft.atitle%253DHearing%2Blips%2Band%2Bseeing%2Bvoices.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1038%252F264746a0%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F1012311%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1038/264746a0&link_type=DOI [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=1012311&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F282%2F5396%2F1991.8.atom [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=A1976CQ45400031&link_type=ISI
Acknowledging Misspecification in Macroeconomic Theory

Abstract We explore methods for confronting model misspecification in macroeconomics. We construct dynamic equilibria in which private agents and policy makers recognize that models are approximations. We explore two generalizations of rational expectations equilibria. In one of these equilibria, decision-makers use dynamic evolution equations that are imperfect statistical approximations, and in the other misspecification is impossible to detect even from infinite samples of time series data. In the first of these equilibria, decision rules are tailored to be robust to the allowable statistical discrepancies. Using frequency domain methods, we show that robust decision-makers treat model misspecification like time series econometricians.
Collective preferences as predictors of interstate migration

The comparison of objective and subjective social indicators can be illuminated by comparing their relations to individual choice, of which migration is an important instance. We have replicated for U.S. states Lowry's (1966) regression model of migration among SMSA's, and added an indirect subjective measure of quality of life in each state. This measure is based on a Gallup survey asking respondents about their preferences among states of the United States as places to live. A measure of collective preference for each state, as viewed by outsiders, is constructed from these responses. This new variable increases R2 from 0.798 to 0.828, and is itself predicted with an R2 of only 0.355 by objective variables. Objective indicators of well-being had increased R2 only from 0.762 to 0.798. We conclude that collective preferences — the subjective measure we have used — play an independent part in predicting migration.
Applications of Diffuse Reflectance FT-IR to the Characterization of an E-Glass Fiber/γ-APS Coupling Agent System

The utility of diffuse reflectance FT-IR (DRIFT) spectroscopy is explored to study the surfaces of clean E-glass fibers and E-glass/coupling agent systems. The ability to use a non-destructive sampling procedure is an important benefit for the study of these systems. However, the nature of the fiber samples leads to several experimental difficulties. We solve these problems through the use of a KBr overlayer. Using this sample-preparation procedure, we increase the information derivable from the spectra. The inherent surface sensitivity of the DRIFT technique is demonstrated by the study of small amounts of the silane coupling agent γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ-APS) on the surface of E-glass fibers.
Are mitochondria inherited paternally in Ascaris

Abstract Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is finding increasing usage as a tool for studying the systematics, population genetics and epidemiology of parasitic helminths, and is generally assumed to be inherited maternally. Yet two features of Ascaris biology—fertilization by large amoeboid sperm and some novel aspects of sperm mitochondria—suggest a paternal component to mitochondrial inheritance in this organism. In this study, we compare mtDNA restriction patterns of parental worms with those of their progeny but find no evidence for paternal inheritance. We suggest that sperm-derived mitochondria are actively destroyed or outcompeted by maternal organelles in the zygote.
Mutations in the poliovirus P1 capsid precursor at arginine residues VP4-ARG34, VP3-ARG223, and VP1-ARG129 affect virus assembly and encapsidation of genomic RNA

Abstract To begin to identify poliovirus capsid protein determinants required for assembly and RNA encapsidation, we have addressed the functional significance of three arginine residues of the poliovirus capsid in virus assembly and encapsidation of genomic RNA. These studies were conducted by using a recently described system in which recombinant vaccinia viruses are used to supply poliovirus capsid proteins in trans to a poliovirus subgenomic replicon [D. C. Ansardi, D. C. Porter, and C. D. Morrow (1993) J. Virol. 67, 3684-3690]. Two of the arginine residues, located at position 34 of VP4 (VP4-R034) and position 129 of VP1 (VP1-R129), are located within a cavity on the poliovirus capsid interior, whereas the third arginine, residue 223 of VP3 (VP3-R223), is located at a protomer-protomer interface. Five mutants were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis of poliovirus P1 capsid precursor cDNA to separately encode lysine or glutamine substitutions at VP4-R034 (VP4-R034K, VP4-R034Q), lysine or glutamine substitutions at residue 129 of VP1 (VP1-R129K, VP1-R129Q), or a lysine substitution at residue 223 of VP3 (VP3-R223K). Processed capsid proteins derived from the VP3-R223K, VP1-R129K, and VP1-R129Q mutant precursors were unstable and failed to assemble subviral particles or virions at 37°. The assembly defect for cleavage products of the VP3-R223K precursor was partially overcome at 33°, as empty capsids, but not mature virions, assembled from the mutant capsid subunits at the lower temperature. With regard to the third arginine residue analyzed, VP4-R034, processed capsid proteins derived from both the VP4-R034K and the VP4-R034Q mutant precursors assembled 155S virions at 37° however, capsid proteins derived from the VP4-R034Q precursor were temperature-sensitive for virion formation at 39.5°. The reduced virion formation at 39.5° was apparently a reflection of a defect in forming assembly competent subunits which also prevented accumulation of surplus VP4-R034Q subunits as empty capsids. By using graphics to display the poliovirus three-dimensional structure, the locations of these residues on the poliovirus capsid interior and their interactions with adjacent amino acids were visualized to provide structural explanations for the observed assembly defects which highlight the important role these residues play in capsid assembly and RNA encapsidation.
The boundedness and extendibality of differential systems under integral perturbation

Necessary and sufficient conditions for integral boundedness are given in terms of a Liapunov function are given the construction of the Liapunov function is a modification of the Okamura function. Similar results are also given for the extendability of solutions under integral perturbations.
Dynamical rescaling and the size of the pion

Abstract Close, Roberts and Ross have claimed that the ratio of pion and nucleon confinement scales, λ N / λ π implied by dynamical rescaling is equal to the ratio of charge radii. This is based on an erroneous calculation. However, the corrected value of λ N / λ π is consistent with recent estimates of the pion's confinement size, which indicate that it is smaller than the charge radius.
Camera-projector-based interactive game development

Undergraduate computing education is facing systematic changes. Topics and courses on gaming, robotics, and media computation have been developed in many computing related curricula. It turns out that these changes help transform and revitalize computing education. This paper reports a new special topic course developed and offered at Southern Polytechnic State University in the spring semester of 2006: IT 4903/6903 Entertainment Computing and Technology. We describe the course objective, learning outcomes, and how we offered it in our curriculum. Ideas of the rationale and expansion of this course is also presented.A camera-projector system requires a digital camera, a projector, and a computer. The projector and camera could be installed in various locations depending on the application. Our system used a rear-installed projector and camera, with players standing in between the projector-camera pair and the projected surface - a screen or a wall. We discuss in this paper a simple testing game engine using OpenCV and DirectX, with a few example games developed by the student teams.
Chronic lithium chloride administration to rats decreases brain protein level of epsilon (ϵ) subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor-2B

Abstract The eukaryotic initiation factor-2B (eIF-2B) can regulate translation and protein synthesis. We used Western blot analysis to quantify the protein level of the catalytic epsilon (ϵ) subunit of eIF-2B in brains of rats fed lithium chloride (LiCl) for 6 weeks so as to produce a brain lithium concentration that is therapeutically effective in bipolar disorder. The ratio of eIF-2B (ϵ) to actin protein was significantly reduced ( P
Syntrichia Sucrosa Sp. Nov. (Pottiaceae), A New Species from California

Abstract Syntrichia sucrosa is described and illustrated as a new species from California. It is characterized by 1–4, pedicellate, bifurcate or stellate-branched papillae per cell, upper laminal cells 8–11 µm in width, costa with hydroids and 2–4 layers of stereid cells, and margins recurved in the basal ¾ of the ± lingulate leaf. A key to the mosses with pedicellate papillae in the Northern Hemisphere is presented.
Factors affecting biological control of apple mites by mixed populations of Metaseiulus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri

Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) andTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten have complementary features/ traits that enable them to control effectively plant-feeding mites on apple. Populations of both predators gave as good or better biological control of the apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali Nalepa), European red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae (Koch)) than single-predator populations. With mixed predators,M. occidentalis provided better control of spider mites the first season after release, butT. pyri gave better control in the second season. Several factors affected the ability of predators to provide biological control: When prey were dense,M. occidentalis rapidly increased during the warm mid-summer, whileT. pyri provided greater predation when it was cool at the start or end of the growing season. When few prey were present, searching byM. occidentalis was more confined on individual apple leaves, but it migrated between leaves and trees more often. Pollen feeding, cannibalism and interspecific predation were more common byT. pyri. In fall, oviposition byM. occidentalis stopped sooner and in the following spring,T. pyri reproduced beforeM. occidentalis. Research needs and management of mixed-predator populations are discussed.
Antibody to acetylcholine receptor increases degradation of junctional and extrajunctional receptors in adult muscle

MYASTHENIA gravis is a disease of impaired neuromuscular transmission (for review see ref. 1), which probably results from a reduced number of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in the muscle membrane2. Myasthenia is thought to be an autoimmune disease1, in part because most myasthenia patients have circulating antibody to the receptor3,4. Specific antibodies can increase the turnover and reduce the amount of surface proteins5, including ACh receptors6–8, on cells in tissue culture. Because such an effect could contribute to the decrease of ACh receptors found in myasthenia, we have investigated the effect of anti-receptor antibodies on the turnover of ACh receptors in innervated and denervated muscles of adult rats. Two forms of ACh receptor are found in mammalian muscle. Junctional receptors are densely packed and highly localised at motor endplates9–11, while extrajunctional receptors are found in developing and denervated adult muscles at low density over the entire muscle surface10–12. The two forms of receptors are almost identical molecules but can be distinguished both in situ and after purification (for discussion, see ref. 13). Differences in isoelectric point14 and immunological properties (ref. 15 and unpublished results of C.B.W. and Z.W.H.) suggest that they have slight structural differences. One important difference between these forms of receptors is their stability in the membrane. Extrajunctional receptors undergo continual turnover with a half-life of about 14–18 h in both developing and denervated adult muscles16–18. In contrast junctional receptors are much more stable and have not previously been shown to turn over, although their half-life in vivo has been estimated to exceed 6 d (refs 16 and 18). We report here that junctional receptors can turn over and that antireceptor antibodies increase the degradation of both junctional and extrajunctional receptors in adult muscle.
Dynamics of Rocky Mountain Lee Waves Observed During Success

On two days during SUCCESS, the NASA DC-8 flew carefully designed flight tracks to sample wave clouds downstream of the Rocky mountains. Wave morphology was deduced by applying linear perturbation theory to in-situ measurements of the Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) and remotely sensed isentrope profiles of the Micro-wave Temperature Profiler (MTP). Vertical winds from the MMS were consistent with updraft velocities derived from air parcel displacements estimated from the MTP. Derived wave characteristics and cooling rates are useful inputs to cloud microphysics models.
Theoretical studies of the formation and adiabatic compression of reversed-field configurations in imploding liners

The formation and compression of e-beam-induced reversed-field theta-pinch configurations are studied theoretically in an MHD treatment. Taking into account classical collisional resistivity plus anomalous resistivity derived from microinstabilities, it is shown that plasmas can be created with parameters suitable for liner compression experiments. Adiabatic compression of the quasi-equilibrium plasma/flux mixture is described by using Lagrangian co-ordinates. Results are given for a sample (unoptimized) initial configuration. In the final state, the ratio of plasma to total energy and the total D-T rate are 30% and 20%, respectively, of the values which would be obtained if all the compressional energy went into heating plasma,i.e. assuming negligible magnetic-field-filled volume.
The hazards of small firms in Southern Africa

Small enterprises are a ubiquitous feature of the economies of many developing countries. This study is the first to examine the duration of their survival using economic theory and modern econometric techniques. Using data sets from surveys conducted in four southern African countries, I estimate a proportional hazards model describing the closure rates of a sample of approximately 21,000 firms. There is an inverse relationship between enterprise growth rates and the closure hazard. The sector where it operates influences the hazard, as does its location. In some countries female‐headed firms are at a survival disadvantage compared to their male counterparts.
Effect of Physical Conditioning on Serum Creatine Kinase After Exercise

To the Editor.— The article "Elevation of Creatine Phosphokinase in Young Men After Recreational Exercise" by LaPorta and colleagues (239:2685, 1978) is designed to assist physicians in interpreting elevations in serum enzyme activity related to increased physical activity in a warm environment. The complexity of the problem is illustrated in the data obtained from seven healthy young male physicians who participated in a one-hour noncompetitive run. Blood specimens for determination of creatine kinase (CK) activity were obtained 15 minutes before and 15 hours after exercise (Table). Participants A through F were in a conditioning program and averaged 16 km/wk of noncompetitive distance running. Participant G, whose CK activity changed dramatically, was participating in only an occasional game of squash prior to the trial run. Participant G ran until
The Influence of Personality Disorder Indication, Social Support, and Grief on Alcohol and Cocaine Use among HIV-Positive Adults Coping with AIDS-Related Bereavement

Substance use is prevalent among HIV-positive adults and linked to a number of adverse health consequences; however little is known about risk and protective factors that influence substance use among HIV-positive adults coping with AIDS-related bereavement. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), male gender, diagnostic indications of antisocial and borderline personality disorders (PD), and grief severity were tested as risk factors, and social support as a protective factor, for alcohol and cocaine use among a diverse sample of 268 HIV-positive adults enrolled in an intervention for AIDS-related bereavement. Results indicated that the hypothesized model fit the study data. Male gender, PD indication, and social support had direct effects on substance use. PD had significant indirect effects on both alcohol and cocaine use, mediated by social support, but not by grief. Finally, both PD and social support had significant, but opposite, effects on grief. Implications for intervention and prevention efforts are discussed.
Time-resolved fluorescence of iodine monochloride

Abstract A pulsed, tunable dye laser has been used to measure the fluorescence lifetime of low-pressure ICI vapor. This is the first reported observation of optical excitation of ICI fluorescence, Collision-free lifetimes on the order of 100 μsec are obtained, with some variation of lifetime with excitation wavelength. Fluorescence becomes too weak to observe when vibrational levels with kT of the dissociation limit of the 3Π1 state are excited.
Current opinions for treatment of symptomatic hindbrain herniation or Chiari type I malformation.

T b d a a S e e m s p b h w T T he hindbrain herniation syndrome, often referred to as the Chiari I malformation, is a disorder that traditionally has been defined as downward herniation of the cerebellar onsils through the foramen magnum more than 4–5 mm on agittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (2, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14). his anomaly is associated with syringohydromyelia (SHM) in 5%–68% of cases (12). It occurs in conjunction with osseous bnormalities of the craniovertebral junction. This is distinguished rom the more familiar Chiari II malformation, which is present at irth and consists of downward herniation of the cerebellum and edulla into the spinal canal and is associated with complex nomalies such as aqueductal forking, polymicrogyria, and myeldysplasia. Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics conribute to the symptoms and the clinical syndrome characterized y the occipital Valsalva-type headaches, lower cranial nerve bnormalities, and spinal cord myelopathy that may be overshadwed by the syringohydromyelia.
Regulation of Wnt signaling during adipogenesis.

We have identified Wnt10b as a potent inhibitor of adipogenesis that must be suppressed for preadipocytes to differentiate in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that a specific inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3, CHIR 99021, mimics Wnt signaling in preadipocytes. CHIR 99021 stabilizes free cytosolic β-catenin and inhibits adipogenesis by blocking induction of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. Preadipocyte differentiation is inhibited when 3T3-L1 cells are exposed to CHIR 99021 for any 24 h period during the first 3 days of adipogenesis. Consistent with this time frame of inhibition, expression of Wnt10b mRNA is suppressed upon induction of differentiation, with a 50% decline by 6 h and complete inhibition by 36 h. Of the agents used to induce differentiation, exposure of 3T3-L1 cells tomethyl-isobutylxanthine or cAMP is sufficient to suppress expression of Wnt10b mRNA. Inhibition of adipogenesis by Wnt10b is likely mediated by Wnt receptors, Frizzled 1, 2, and/or 5, and co-receptors low density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6. These receptors, like Wnt10b, are highly expressed in preadipocytes and stromal vascular cells. Finally, we demonstrate that disruption of extracellular Wnt signaling by expression of secreted Frizzled related proteins causes spontaneous adipocyte conversion.
Nodular rheumatoid disease of the lung with cavitation.

Nodular rheumatoid disease of the lung is an established clinical entity, having been recorded previously in 14 cases. The 14 cases were reviewed, with emphasis on their differentiation from nodular lung disease associated with pneumoconiosis and rheumatoid arthritis (Caplan's syndrome). This report adds a fifteenth case to the literature with the characteristics of the second recorded instance of roentgenologically demonstrable cavitation of pulmonary nodules, an associated high F-II titer, and a silica-free biopsy specimen.