cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On p-Adic Artin L-Functions II

Let p be a prime. Iwasawa’s famous conjecture relating Kubota-Leopoldt p-adic L-functions to the structure of certain Galois groups has been proven by Mazur and Wiles in Mazur and Wiles (1984). Wiles later proved a far-reaching generalization involving p-adic L-functions for Hecke characters of finite order for a totally real number field in Wiles (1990). As we discussed in Greenberg (1983), an analogue of Iwasawa’s conjecture for p-adic Artin L-functions can then be deduced. The formulation again involves certain Galois groups. However, one can reformulate this result in terms of Selmer groups for the Artin representations. There are several advantages to such a reformulation. First of all, it fits perfectly into the much broader framework described in Greenberg (1989) which relates the p-adic L-function for a motive to the corresponding Selmer group. The crucial assumption in Greenberg (1989) that the motive be ordinary at p (or at least potentially ordinary) is satisfied by an Artin motive and all of its Tate twists.
NASA preprototype redox storage system for a photovoltaic stand-alone application

A 1-kW preprototype redox storage system that has undergone characterization tests and been operated as the storage device for a 5-kW (peak) photovoltaic array is described and performance data are presented. Loss mechanisms are discussed, and simple design changes leading to appreciable increases in efficiency are suggested. The effects on system performance of nonequilibrium between the predominant species of complexed chromic ion in the negative electrode reactant solution are summarized. It is noted that with the aid of the prototype system, control concepts have been shown to be valid and trouble free and some insight has been gained into interactions at the mutual interfaces of the redox system, the photovoltaic array, the load, and the control devices.
Interaction of the frontal eye field and superior colliculus for saccade generation.

Both the frontal eye field (FEF) in the prefrontal cortex and the superior colliculus (SC) on the roof of the midbrain participate in the generation of rapid or saccadic eye movements and both have...
In vivo and in vitro analysis of transcriptional activation mediated by the human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early proteins

To define mechanistically how the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (IE) proteins induce early-gene transcription, the IE1 72-kDa protein, the IE2 55-kDa protein, and the IE2 86-kDa protein were analyzed for their ability to activate transcription from an HCMV early promoter in vivo and in vitro. In transient-expression assays in U373MG astrocytoma/glioblastoma and HeLa cells, only the IE2 86-kDa protein was able to activate the HCMV early promoter to high levels. In HeLa cells, the IE1 72-kDa protein was able to activate the promoter to a low but detectable level, and the level of promoter activity observed in response to the IE2 86-kDa protein was increased synergistically following cotransfection of the constructs expressing both IE proteins. To examine the interaction of the HCMV IE proteins with the RNA polymerase II transcription machinery, we assayed the ability of Escherichia coli-synthesized proteins to activate the HCMV early promoter in nuclear extracts prepared from U373MG cells, HeLa cells, and Drosophila embryos. The results of the in vitro experiments correlated well with those obtained in vivo. The basal activity of the promoter was minimal in both the HeLa and U373MG extracts but was stimulated 6- to 10-fold by the IE2 86-kDa protein. With a histone H1-deficient extract from Drosophila embryos, the HCMV early promoter was quite active and was stimulated two- to fourfold by the IE2 86-kDa protein. Addition of histone H1 at 1 molecule per 40 to 50 bp of DNA template significantly repressed basal transcription from this promoter. However, the IE2 86-kDa protein, but none of the other IE proteins, was able to counteract the H1-mediated repression and stimulate transcription at least 10- to 20-fold. The promoter specificity of the activation was demonstrated by the inability of the IE2 86-kDa protein to activate the Drosophila Kruppel promoter in either the presence or absence of histone H1. These results suggest that one mechanism of transcription activation by the IE2 86-kDa protein involves antirepression.
Tumor maligno de tritón pélvico: reporte de un caso

We report the case of a 29 year-old woman complaining of pain in right buttock and leg. She suffered of von Recklinghausen disease and developed rapidly growing retroperitoneal pelvic tumors. At laparotomy the tumors were attached to the obturator foramen and the iliac wing. The larger and fast growing right side tumor compatible with malignant triton tumor, and the left sided neurofibroma were removed.
On canonical methods for the study of small perturbations in galaxies

This paper describes a ‘canonical representation’ for the study of small perturbations in galaxies. The canonical representation is formulated in terms of the generating function for the canonical transformation that relates the perturbed coordinates and momenta of a star to the unperturbed coordinates and momenta. The fundamental equation of the canonical representation is a linear, partial differential equation governing the first-order part of the generating function. The Eulerian and Lagrangian representations of small perturbations are derived from the canonical representation. The characteristic value problem governing modes of oscillation of a galaxy is formulated in both the canonical and the Eulerian representations, and the two formulations are shown to be mutually adjoint. Variational principles are constructed for the solution of the characteristic value problem governing modes in the canonical and Eulerian representations, and the variational principles in the two representations are shown to be equivalent. The variational principles are made bases for the formulation of matrix methods of the Rayleigh‐Ritz type for the solution of the characteristic value problem. An earlier formulation of the characteristic value problem governing modes of oscillation of a galaxy in the Lagrangian representation is reviewed, and it is shown that the canonical, Lagrangian and Eulerian representations of the characteristic value problem are equivalent. The canonical representation of perturbations also arises in formulations of the characteristic value problem governing the modes of oscillation of a collisionless plasma. In particular, the canonical representation is implicit in Case’s formulation of the characteristic value problem governing the van Kampen modes in a homogeneous plasma. Ke yw ords: instabilities ‐ stellar dynamics ‐ methods: analytical ‐ galaxies: kinematics and dynamics ‐ galaxies: structure.
An upwinding embedded boundary method for Maxwell's equations in media with material interfaces: 2D case

We propose a new upwinding embedded boundary method to solve time dependent Maxwell's equations in media with material interfaces. A global second order finite difference method is obtained by combining central difference schemes away from the interfaces and upwinding technique with jump conditions near the interfaces. The proposed finite difference method allows time step based on a uniform mesh independent of the locations and shapes of the interfaces. Moreover, the scheme is simple to implement in multidimensional cases. Numerical tests of wave equations with various types of material interfaces and electromagnetic scattering of 2D cylinders confirm the stability, uniform accuracy and ease of implementation of the method.
Adaptive mesh generation for global diffuse illumination

Rapid developments in the design of algorithms for rendering globally illuminated scenes have taken place in the past five years. Net energy methods such as the hemicube and other radiosity algorithms have become very effective at computing the energy balance for scenes containing diffusely reflecting objects. Such methods first break up a scene description into a relatively large number of elements, or possibly several levels of elements. Energy transfers among these elements are then determined using a variety of means. While much progress has been made in the design of energy transfer algorithms, little or no attention has been paid to the proper generation of the mesh of surface elements. This paper presents a technique for adaptively creating a mesh of surface elements as the energy transfers are computed. The method allows large numbers of small elements to be placed at parts of the scene where the most active energy transfers occur without requiring that other parts of the scene be needlessly subdivided to the same degree. As a result, the computational effort in the energy transfer computations can be concentrated where it has the most effect.
Social vulnerability assessment for mitigation of local earthquake risk in Los Angeles County

Comprehensive hazard mitigation involves (1) understanding natural systems, (2) assessment of interactions within and between social systems and the built environment, and (3) understanding geo-spatial processes. To achieve this, local emergency managers must recognize variability in vulnerable populations exposed to hazards and develop place-based emergency plans accordingly. In this study, we assess whether cities in Los Angeles County are subject to disproportionally greater earthquake losses modeled from a M7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas fault. Furthermore, we analyze whether the variation in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics across cities is associated with the earthquake losses. We were able to explain 23.2 % of variance in economic losses by looking at the percentage of minority residents, income, and renter residents in a city [F(3,84) = 8.47; p < .001]. Cities with primarily minority residents had greater economic losses when compared to cities with primarily White residents (b = 1.01; p < .001). When looking at the association between demographic predictors and potential casualty rate, the percentage of Hispanic residents was positively associated with the potential casualty rate. We argue that knowledge of the relationship between earthquake hazard and the demographic characteristics of people in the area at risk is essential to mitigate the local impact from earthquakes. In other words, we apply social vulnerability assessment as part of a comprehensive risk management framework to accelerate recovery after an event. Local policy makers and the private sector can use this approach to gain a better understanding of a city’s social vulnerability and adapt their preparedness efforts accordingly.
Dynamic modeling of a slider-crank mechanism with coupler and joint flexibility

Abstract Modeling and dynamic analysis of a slider-crank mechanism with flexible joint and coupler is presented. The equations of motion of the mechanism are formulated using a newly evolving multibody formalism and cast in terms of a minimum set of generalized coordinates through a Jacobian matrix expansion. Numerical results show the influence of time-varying coefficients on the mechanism dynamic behavior due to a repeated task. The results illustrate that the joint motion and coupler deformation are highly coupled. The joint response is dominated by double frequency of input, however, the coupler deformation is influenced by the same frequency as that of excitation. An increase in the joint stiffness tends to decrease the variation in the coupler deformation.
Effect of atomic order on the electrical resistivity of Co x Fe 100 − x alloys

We measured the electrical resistivity at 4.2 K of a series of ${\mathrm{Co}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{100\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$ alloys in the ordered and disordered state. For 30x40 at. % Co the resistivity increases upon ordering as expected when an energy gap occurs at the Fermi level. For 40x70 at. % Co the resistivity decreases upon ordering due to an increase of the electron relaxation time. For two samples with x=38 and x=48 at. % Co we measured \ensuremath{\rho}(${T}_{Q}$,T) at temperatures T=4.2, 77, and 295 K after quenching the samples in salt water from several temperatures ${T}_{Q}$ around the ordering temperature ${T}_{o}$. For the first sample, \ensuremath{\rho}(${T}_{Q}$,4.2 K) increases for ${T}_{Q}$${T}_{o}$ and accordingly d\ensuremath{\rho}(${T}_{Q}$,4.2 K)/${\mathrm{dT}}_{Q}$ has a strong negative anomaly at ${T}_{o}$. At high temperatures and in equilibrium, \ensuremath{\rho}(T) decreases upon ordering and d\ensuremath{\rho}/dT has a positive anomaly at ${T}_{o}$. This crossover from a gap-dominated to a relaxation-time-dominated critical behavior is induced by increasing the measuring temperature T, therefore exciting electrons across the energy gap. From the dependence of \ensuremath{\rho}(${T}_{Q}$,T) on T we estimate the gap width to be around 45 meV. For x=50 at.% Co both \ensuremath{\rho}(${T}_{Q}$,4.2 K) and \ensuremath{\rho}(T) decrease upon ordering. Here the gapless behavior of the resistivity is due to the particular topology of the Fermi surface.
EIAV genomic organization: Further characterization by sequencing of purified glycoproteins and cDNA

Abstract Nucleotide sequence analyses of two different proviral clones of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) designated λ 12 (K. Rushlow et al. , 1986, Virology 155, 309–321) and 1369 (T. Kawakami et al. , 1987, Virology 158, 300–312), indicate significant differences in the organization of two critical regions of the viral genome, i.e., in the short open reading frames in the pol-env intergenic region and in the 5′-end of the env gene. To determine the correct structure of the EIAV genome, we have performed nucleotide sequence analyses of cDNA clones produced from viral RNA and direct sequencing of purified EIAV envelope glycoproteins (gp90 and gp45). The results of the cDNA sequencing confirm the presence of two short open reading frames in the pol-env intergenic region, as reported previously for the λ 12 clone. The protein sequencing data correlated exactly with the amino-terminal sequences of gp90 and gp45 deduced from λ 12 nucleotide sequences. However, the protein sequencing also revealed that the putative signal sequence of EIAV gp90 is not removed during processing. Thus, EIAV apparently contains short open reading frames analogous to human immunodeficiency virus, but differs in its mode of env polyprotein processing.
Prediction of ultimate expansion of ASTM C 1260 for various alkali solutions using the proposed decay model

Abstract The main purpose of this paper was to predict the ultimate mortar expansion (UME) and the time required to reach at 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% and 95% of the UME for the 1.0 N, 0.5 N and 0.25 N NaOH solutions using the proposed ASR decay model (ADM). The expansion data, over the 98-day testing period, utilized in this study were produced from the fourteen aggregate groups having a large variation in mortar expansions. The analytical mortar expansions at the 14, 28, 56, and 98 days were evaluated, and compared with those obtained by the experimental procedures. Additionally, the failure limit of UME for each alkali solution was developed to better predict the degree of reactivity of the investigated aggregates. When compared to the 14-day expansion limit, the proposed failure criteria of ultimate mortar expansion showed better correlations with the findings obtained from the previously suggested 28- and 56-day the expansion limits in evaluating alkali-silica reactivity of the investigated aggregates.
Cross-Cultural Differences in Family and Sexual Life An Economic Analysis

This article uses rational choice theory to explain family and sexual life in so-called primitive societies. It develops implications of the theory that relate the degree of polygamy, the relative value placed on men and women (as proxied by the respective amounts of “bloodwealth” prescribed for killing or wounding a man or a woman), and the degree of homosexuality to each other and to other variables, including the relative numbers of men and women and the mode of production—whether agricultural or hunting and gathering. Examined is quantitative evidence bearing on these implications from almost 70 societies.
Cross-National Comparison of Post-Cold-War Defense Conversion and Labor Policies: Sweden and the United States

Defense and military priorities have changed in the post-Cold-War era in many nations. Decreases in military and defense spending have resulted in layoffs in defense-related industries, creating dislocated defense-dependent workers and affecting economic and social conditions in their communities. How countries cope with the labor repercussions of restructuring in defense differs across nations. Their policy choices are rooted in the historical and institutional paths of their political economies. In this paper the author compares defense restructuring and its effects on workers through an analysis of policies in Sweden and the United States. Both the United States and Sweden have maintained strong military and defense sectors, for different reasons, but demonstrate most-different systems design with regard to labor policies affecting a dislocated workforce. It is argued that the dominant ‘warfare’ state policies of the United States forced the country to develop a set of reactive policies to defense rest...
Unscheduled DNA synthesis induced in human lymphocytes by butyl glycidyl ethers

Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) was examined in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL) exposed to n- and tert.-butyl glycidyl ethers (BGE). n-BGE, which is currently used as a major reactive diluent for industrial epoxy resin systems, has been implicated as a bacterial mutagen. t-BGE, a potential replacement for n-BGE, is less cytotoxic to HPBL. Both these BGEs have demonstrated genetic activity in human cells. Here, slide autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting techniques have been used to show that both n-BGE and t-BGE induce repair-DNA synthesis in normal HPBL. These agents demonstrate similar dose-response relationships over the range of concentrations up to 333 micrograms/ml. Cultures were examined for repair-DNA synthesis after a continuous 5-h exposure to varying concentration of n-BGE or t-BGE.
REVIEW: Fred Wilcox, Scorched Earth: Legacies of Chemical Warfare in Vietnam. New York: Seven Stories Press, 2011. 240 pp.

Fred Wilcox, author of Scorched Earth, is a veteran's advocate, environmentalist, and scholar on the Vietnam War. He teaches writing at Ithaca College. This book focuses on the suffering Agent Oran...
Gas-phase conformational and energetic properties of deprotonated dinucleotides

Ion mobility experiments and molecular modeling calculations were used to investigate the gas-phase conformations and folding energetics of 16 deprotonated dinucleotides. [M-H]- ions were formed by MALDI and their collision cross-sections measured in helium using ion mobility based techniques. Cross-sections of theoretical structures, generated by molecular mechanics/dynamics calculations, were compared to the experimental values for conformational identification of the dinucleotides. Temperature dependent measurements and kinetic theory were also used to obtain energetic and dynamic data concerning the folding properties of the dinucleotides. Three distinct families of conformations, with significantly different collision cross-sections, were identified: a “stacked” family in which the two nucleobases stack; an “H-bonded” family in which the two nucleobases stay in the same plane and are hydrogen-bonded to each other; and an “open” family in which the two nucleobases are separated from each other. At temperatures ≥ 300 K these conformers rapidly interconvert in most systems, but they can be separated and individually observed in the lower temperature (80-200 K) experiments. The types and relative amounts of each conformer observed, and the temperature at which they can be separated, are base and sequence dependent. Theoretical modeling of the temperature-dependent data was used to determine isomerization barrier heights between the various conformers and yielded values between 0.8-12.9 kcal/mol, depending on the dinucleotide.
Formation and dissociation studies for optimizing the uptake of methane by methane hydrates

Abstract Characteristics such as temperature and pressure profiles for methane hydrate formation and dissociation in pure water, simulated seawater, and water–surfactant systems have been established. A hysteresis effect has been observed for repeated formation–dissociation cycles of the same methane–water system. In an attempt to maximize the uptake of methane during methane hydrate formation, the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate provided methane uptake of over 97% of the theoretical maximum uptake. Additional surfactants were tested for their ability to enhance the uptake of methane for hydrate formation. Successful demonstration of efficient methane storage using hydrate formation enhanced by addition of surfactants could provide a safe, low-cost alternative method for storage of natural gas at remote locations.
Thermal tolerance of zooplankton

Abstract First immature instar Daphnia pulex Leydig acclimated at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, and Daphnia magna Straus acclimated at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, were instantaneously immersed at the specified temperatures which differed from acclimation temperatures by 10°C or more. Observations for mortality were made at regular intervals for 48 h or longer until at least one molting had occurred. Organisms acclimated at the same temperatures were also instantaneously immersed at 35°C, an ultimately lethal temperature, and followed to 95% mortality. Daphnia pulex acclimated at 20°C were stepped over varying rates of temperature change to 35°C and observed for mortality over a 48-h period. Thirty first immature instar organisms were used in each test, and tests were carried out in temperature controlled water baths and incubators. Filtered pond water was used for culture and testing. Both species survived instantaneous temperature changes over the entire normal tolerance ranges tested. Animals succumbed more rapidly upon instantaneous immersion at 35°C as the temperature at which they were acclimated decreased, with D. magna succumbing more rapidly than D. pulex from all acclimation temperatures. Daphnia pulex acclimated at 20°C and stepped to 35°C at varying rates of temperature change exhibited a decreasing 48-h mortality percentage as rates decreased from 6°C h −1 to 1.33°C h −1 . Shortcomings in methodologies of previous thermal tolerance studies on zooplankton were discussed, and recommendations were made as to how these methods can be improved.
Pomeranchuk singularity in a Reggeon field theory with quartic couplings

We employ the methods of the renormalization group to investigate the structure of Pomeron Green's functions near $l=1$, $t=0$ in a theory where only four-Pomeron couplings are present. When certain conditions on the renormalized couplings are met, the $l\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1$, $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ behavior of the theory is governed by free effective couplings (the theory is "infrared-free"). In this situation the renormalized Pomeron trajectory is of the form $\ensuremath{\alpha}(t)=1+At+\frac{\mathrm{Bt}}{{(\mathrm{ln}Ct)}^{5}}$ for $tg0$, where $A$, $B$, and $C$ are constants; the total cross section behaves as ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{T}(s)\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}+\frac{{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}}{{(\mathrm{ln}\mathrm{ln}s)}^{5}}$, with ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}$ and ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{2}$ positive.
Regulation of Placental Villous Angiopoietin-1 and -2 Expression by Estrogen During Baboon Pregnancy

We recently showed an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), decrease in angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and unaltered Ang-2 expression by the villous placenta with advancing baboon pregnancy. Moreover, placental VEGF expression was increased by estrogen in early pregnancy. In the present study, we determined whether placental Ang-1 and Ang-2 are regulated by estrogen. Ang-1 and Ang-2 mRNA and protein were determined by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry in the placenta of baboons on day 60 of gestation (term is 184 days) after administration of estrogen precursor androstenedione on days 25-59 or on day 54 after acute estradiol administration. Chronic androstenedione treatment increased serum estradiol levels 3-fold (P<0.001) and decreased (P<0.05) villous cytotrophoblast Ang-1 mRNA to a level (0.36 ± 0.08 relative to 18S rRNA) that was one-third of that in untreated animals (0.98 ± 0.26). Within 2 h of estradiol administration, cytotrophoblast Ang-1 mRNA was decreased to a level (0.24 ± 0.05) one-fifth (P<0.05) of that in untreated animals (1.14 ± 0.23). However, Ang-2 mRNA levels were unaltered. Ang-1, Ang-2 and estrogen receptors α and β protein were localized within villous cytotrophoblasts providing a mechanism for estrogen action at this site. In summary, estrogen increased VEGF, decreased Ang-1, and had no effect on Ang-2 expression within placental cytotrophoblasts during early baboon pregnancy. We propose that the estrogen-dependent differential regulation of these angioregulatory factors underpins the unique pattern of neovascularization established within the villous placenta during primate pregnancy.
Carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic disease.

Since carotid stenosis was first recognized as a potential cause of stroke in the 1950s, physicians have been trying to refine a mechanical solution, the carotid endarterectomy (CEA), for a potentially mechanical problem. The purpose of the CEA is to remove an atherothrombotic lesion from the region of the carotid bifurcation before it becomes flow restrictive or becomes a nidus for artery-toartery emboli. The surgery involves exposing the carotid bifurcation in the neck, clamping the common and internal carotid arteries, performing an arterotomy on the carotid artery, and removing the diseased intima. 1 Through the mid-1980s, despite the fact that there had not been any large, prospective randomized trials proving the safety and efficacy of CEA for any indication, the number of procedures performed per year grew. 2 In 1970, approximately 12,000 CEAs were performed annually in the United States. By 1980, that number had grown to over 50,000. By 1985, the number of CEAs in the United States had passed 100,000. For over two decades, the literature was filled with many encouraging anecdotal reports, but there were no rigorous scientific trials on the role of CEA in asymptomatic patients. By way of example, in 1978, Thompson et aP reported a retrospective review of 270 patients who had been evaluated by them for carotid stenosis. 3 One hundred thirty-two had CEA, and 138 did not receive an operation. With follow-up up to 192 months, the investigators reported that 91% of the operated patients remained asymptomatic, and only 56% of the nonoperated patients were asymptomatic. Other anecdotal reports indicated that the natural history of symptomatic stenosis may be benign, and surgery may not be warranted. 4 Although not rigorous scientific studies, such reports suggested that CEA may benefit some patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. The risks of CEA were also reported in numerous retrospective series. For example, Thompson et al 5 reported no surgical strokes or deaths in patients with asymptomatic bruit. Fode et al 6 reported a retrospective
A genetic analysis of senescence in Drosophila

Two attractive theories for the evolution of senescence are based on the principle that the force of natural selection decreases with age. The theories differ in the type of age-specific gene action that they assume. Antagonistic pleiotropy postulates that pleiotropic genes with positive effects early in life and negative effects of comparable magnitude late in life are favoured by selection, whereas genes with the reverse pattern of action are selected against. Mutation accumulation assumes that deleterious mutant alleles with age-specific effects will equilibrate at a lower frequency if their effects are expressed early rather than late in life. Explicit models demonstrate that both mechanisms can lead to the evolution of senescent life histories under reasonable conditions. Antagonistic pleiotropy has gained considerable empirical support, but the evidence in support of mutation accumulation is more sparse. Here we report that the genetic variability of mortality in male Drosophila melanogaster increases greatly at very late ages, as predicted by the mutation accumulation hypothesis. The rate of increase in mortality with age exhibits substantial genetic and environmental variability. This result provides a possible explanation for recent observations of non-increasing mortality rates in very old flies.
An experimental test of resistance to cheatgrass invasion: limiting resources at different life stages

Variable densities of an invasive species may represent variation in invasion resistance, due to variation in resource availability. This study determined whether low- and high-density cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) patches within a shadscale-bunchgrass community of western Utah, USA, can be explained by variation in resource availability. It also explored the possible role of seed limitation and enemy pressure on invasion patterns. Two parallel field experiments were conducted:(1) increasing resources within low-density cheatgrass patches and, conversely (2) reducing resources within high-density cheatgrass patches. Treatments were applied at three life stages separately and across all stages. In low-density cheatgrass patches (assumed to represent high resistance), a disturbance that reduced soil compaction had the strongest positive effect, significantly increasing biomass by 250% and density by 104% in comparison to the control. The second strongest effect was reducing neighbors (native grasses), which significantly increased cheatgrass biomass and density. These results indicate that resources are present in low-density cheatgrass patches, but they are unavailable without disturbance and/or are exploited by competitors, and hence represent resistance to invasion. In high-density cheatgrass patches (assumed to represent low resistance), nitrogen availability was important in maintaining cheatgrass densities. Reducing nitrogen (via sucrose addition) significantly decreased density (by 37%) but not biomass. Life stages of cheatgrass were differentially affected by these resource manipulations. In addition, herbivore (primarily grasshoppers) and pathogen (head smut) pressures were documented to affect cheatgrass density, but did not explain resistance patterns. Instead, we found that differential resource availability explains the observed variation in cheatgrass density, and variation in natural resistance.
Is One Year of Elementary Grammar Enough

T HE other day I had a talk with a member of the Business Administration staff here on our campus. Both of us did a fair share of complaining about the lack of background in the students of our respective fields of work and the final remark made by the gentleman in question was: "You complain about the fact that your students don't know a thing about grammar; ours don't know a thing about arithmetic." Evidently, lack of knowledge in fundamentals is not entirely confined to the field of foreign language studies; and, if anything, the statement made above shows that a sound knowledge of fundamentals is an absolute necessity for the successful pursuit of studies in the various fields of knowledge. The following remarks are, therefore, intended to be somewhat of a reply to Mr. Andrew D. Roberts' study entitled LANGUAGE OR GRAMMAR? in the February 1948 issue of The Modern Language Journal. This study, to be sure, was related to Spanish only, but one cannot escape the implication that its intended significance has some bearing on other foreign languages as well. There can, of course, be no doubt that after a number of years grammatical terminology and its vital functions should, on the one hand, be largely lost to the average and immature student and that, on the other hand, some easy phrases, which by the way, could be learned and remembered by even a non-language student, be remembered and reproduced correctly. Nothing is shown in the study which would indicate how much mere exposure to grammatical terminology helped the student to learn a foreign language even without his being aware of it. The subconscious factor is, of course, one of major importance and must be taken into consideration. To check on Mr. Roberts' findings I am at the present time taking a careful count in my oral classwork on the same problem. And, contrary to Mr. Roberts' results I find that 66% of my first year students are definitely aided by their knowledge of grammar, and that among the remaining ones there are a number of students who have a "flair" for oral German. Thus, I wish to go on record with the statement that the trend away from sound knowledge can only be deplored. Moreover, I want to say that the time of one year which is traditionally devoted to the "acquisition" of a grammatical background for advanced foreign language studies is not enough; rather we should have a basic foreign language program of two years during which the study of grammar is to be
An approach to software system behavior description

A scheme is presented for the non-procedural specification of a software system's behavior. The scheme is primarily intended for the description of large-scale, complex software systems having (actual or conceptual) parallelism. The scheme is formally defined, used to describe a variety of example software system behavior, shown to be general enough to describe any software system behavior, and compared to other behavior description schemes.
Effective Disease Management Supports PPS

Health Care Financing Administration’s Prospective Payment System (PPS) took home care from a visit-based to an episode-based payment system that closely monitors patient outcomes, primarily in functional improvement. It required that clinicians take a thorough look at whether patients are getting better: to examine not just their disease process but whether the patient’s overall status is improving. To succeed under PPS, home health agencies need to follow disease management principles that include having knowledgeable clinical staff skilled in assessment and documentation who can accurately identify the patient’s primary home care diagnosis and identify barriers to achieving goals. The challenge to reduce costs and still maintain a high level of quality will make it essential to establish a medical supply formulary, a method of monitoring outcomes, and new and creative ways to promote improvement both in patient health and the delivery of care.
Aetiology of work-related disorders of the rotator cuff tendons : Research and theory

This paper examines evidence and theories from epidemiological and biomechanical research regarding the work-relatedness of shoulder disorders affecting the rotator cuff tendons, often referred to as rotator cuff syndrome, one of the few more clearly defined musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder region. Recent epidemiological studies and prior reviews were found to be generally consistent in their findings and conclusions regarding problems with repetitive work and elevated shoulder posture. However, most studies tended to employ fairly gross assessments of exposure. In considering more specific methods for assessing exposure, this paper identifies studies of shoulder biomechanics, tendon cell biology and animal models of tendinosis that are relevant to the design and development of exposure assessment methodologies specifically relevant to rotator cuff pathology. The authors concur with others regarding the need for more specific assessments of associations between disorders and exposures, in order t...
CURRENT METHODS FOR LARGE STIFF ODE SYSTEMS

Initial value problems for ODE systems are especially challenging when they are both large and stiff. Current methods range from explicit to fully implicit. Quasi-steady state, split-operator, and hybrid methods are often effective, but require much problem-specific setup and rarely allow for error control. General implicit methods with error control have the widest scope of applicability. They involve an algebraic system problem, which is usually solved with some type of Newton iteration, combined with a suitable linear algebraic system method. A wide variety of structured direct linear system algorithms and an even wider variety of iterative linear system algorithms have been studied for this purpose. Partitioning is often used effectively also. Research is in progress on matrix-free iteration methods for the algebraic system problem.
The digital newsroom-technology war zone or peace talks?

Peace is in sight on the battlegrounds of digital technology for television. Users are understanding the benefits of the diverse approaches and with some further conversations at the image, interchange and control protocol levels, harmonious solutions will emerge. Nowhere more than the digital newsroom will these be put to the test. The benefits of success are clear, the alternative is the old story of killing the messenger!.
Nutritional Supplementation withChlorella pyrenoidosa for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common, chronic musculoskeletal disorder of unknown aetiology. While available therapy is often disappointing, most patients can be helped with a combination of medication, exercise and maintenance of a regular sleep schedule. The objective of the present study was to determine if adding nutritional supplements derived from the unicellular green alga, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, produced any improvements in the clinical and functional status in patients with moderately severe symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome. Eligible patients had 2+ palpable tenderness at 11 or more of 18 defined tender points and had a tender point index (TPI) of at least 22. Each day for 2 months, participants consumed two commercially available Chlorella-based products, 10 g of ‘Sun Chlorella’ tablets and 100 mL of liquid ‘Wakasa Gold’. Any amelioration of symptoms was validated and quantified using semi-objective and subjective outcome measures systematically administered at clinic visits on days 0, 30 and 60 of the diet therapy. Eighteen of the 20 patients enrolled completed the 2 month trial. The average TPI for the group which at onset was 32, decreased to a mean of 25 after 2 months. This decrease was statistically significant (p = 0.01), representing a 22% decrease in pain intensity. Blood samples taken on each occasion indicated no significant alterations in serum chemistries, formed elements, and circulating lymphocyte subsets. Compilations of the results of patient interviews and self-assessment questionnaires revealed that seven patients felt that the dietary supplement had improved their fibromyalgia symptoms, while six thought they had experienced no change, and five believed the symptoms had worsened over the time of the trial. The results of this pilot study suggest that dietary Chlorella supplementation may help relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia in some patients and that a larger, more comprehensive double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in these patients is warranted. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pancreas-preserving duodenectomy in the management of duodenal familial adenomatous polyposis.

Most patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop disease in the duodenum. The duodenal lesions mostly occur in the periampullary region, but some patients develop diffuse polyposis involving all parts of the duodenum. These neoplastic polpys have malignant potential, and thus warrant surveillance and timely intervention. We reviewed our experience with management of FAP over a 10-year period, focusing on patients who had diffuse polyposis of the duodenum and their subsequent management. Three patients with FAP had diffuse duodenal involvement, documented by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Neoplasia was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy, but no patients had histologic evidence of carcinoma. The patients underwent resection of the entire duodenum from the pylorus to the ligament of Treitz with preservation of the pancreas. Our surgical technique is described. One patient had a postoperative wound infection and one patient had a biliary leak that resolved with closed suction drainage for 5 days. Long-term follow-up in these patients revealed excellent functional status. One patient had polyp recurrence in the jejunum at 5-year follow-up, but no patients have developed adenocarcinoma. We conclude that patients with duodenal polyps associated with FAP may be safely and effectively treated by pancreas-preserving duodenectomy.
Applying motivational interviewing strategies and techniques to psychiatric pharmacy practice

Motivational Interviewing was developed to address patient resistance or ambivalence. As a directive, patient-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change through patient exploration of ambivalence, it can be widely applied to the treatment of patients with mental health conditions.
Test results of smart aircraft fastener for KC-135 structural integrity

Hidden and inaccessible corrosion in aircraft structures is the number one logistics problem for the US Air Force, with an estimated maintenance cost in excess of $LR 1.0B per year in 1990-equivalent dollars. The Smart Aircraft Fastener Evaluation (SAFE) system was developed to provide early warning detection of corrosion-related symptoms in hidden locations of aircraft structures. The SAFE system incorporates an in situ measurement approach that measures and autonomously records several environmental conditions within a Hi-Lok aircraft fastener that could cause corrosion. The SAFE system integrates a miniature electrochemical microsensor array and a time-of-wetness sensor with an ultra low power 8-bit microcontroller and 4- Mbyte solid-state FLASH archival memory to measure evidence of active corrosion. A summary of the technical approach and a detailed analysis of the KC-135 lap joint test coupon results are presented.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Aliphatic/aromatic amino acid pairings for polyamide recognition in the minor groove of DNA

Selective placement of an aliphatic β-alanine (β) residue paired side-by-side with either a pyrrole (Py) or imidazole (Im) aromatic amino acid is found to compensate for sequence composition effects for recognition of the minor groove of DNA by hairpin pyrrole−imidazole polyamides. A series of polyamides were prepared which contain pyrrole and imidazole aromatic amino acids, as well as γ-aminobutyric acid (γ) “turn” and β-alanine “spring” aliphatic amino acid residues. The binding affinities and specificities of these polyamides are regulated by the placement of paired β/β, Py/β, and Im/β residues. Quantitative footprint titrations demonstrate that replacing two Py/Py pairings in a 12-ring hairpin (6-γ-6) with two Py/β pairings affords 10-fold enhanced affinity and similar sequence specificity for an 8-bp target sequence. The 6-γ-6 hairpin ImPyImPyPyPy-γ-ImPyPyPyPyPy-β-Dp, which contains six consecutive amino acid pairings, is unable to discriminate a single-base-pair mismatch site 5‘-TGTTAACA-3‘ from a 5‘-TGTGAACA-3‘ match site. The hairpin polyamide Im-β-ImPyPyPy-γ-ImPyPyPy-β-Py-β-Dp binds to the 8-bp match sequence 5‘-TGTGAACA-3‘ with an equilibrium association constant of Ka = 2.4 × 1010 M-1 and ≥48-fold specificity versus the 5‘-TGTTAACA-3‘ single-base-pair mismatch site. Modeling indicates that the β-alanine residue relaxes ligand curvature, providing for optimal hydrogen bond formation between the floor of the minor groove and both Im residues within the Im-β-Im polyamide subunit. This observation provided the basis for design of a hairpin polyamide, Im-β-ImPy-γ-Im-β-ImPy-β-Dp, which incorporates Im/β pairings to recognize a “problematic” 5‘-GCGC-3‘ sequence at subnanomolar concentrations. These results identify Im/β and β/Im pairings that respectively discriminate G·C and C·G from A·T/T·A as well as Py/β and β/Py pairings that discriminate A·T/T·A from G·C/C·G. These aliphatic/aromatic amino acid pairings will facilitate the design of hairpin polyamides which recognize both a larger binding site size as well as a more diverse sequence repertoire.
Warm, Dense Molecular Gas in the ISM of Starbursts, LIRGs, and ULIRGs

The role of star formation in luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs, LIR ≥ 1011 L☉; ULIRGs, LIR ≥ 1012 L☉) is a hotly debated issue: while it is clear that starbursts play a large role in powering the IR luminosity in these galaxies, the relative importance of possible enshrouded AGNs is unknown. It is therefore important to better understand the role of star-forming gas in contributing to the infrared luminosity in IR-bright galaxies. The J = 3 level of 12CO lies 33 K above ground and has a critical density of ~1.5 × 104 cm-3. The 12CO J = 3-2 line serves as an effective tracer for warm, dense molecular gas heated by active star formation. Here we report on 12CO J = 3-2 observations of 17 starburst spiral galaxies, LIRGs, and ULIRGs, which we obtained with the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope on Mount Graham, Arizona. Our main results are as follows. (1) We find a nearly linear relation between the infrared luminosity and warm, dense molecular gas such that the infrared luminosity increases as the warm, dense molecular gas to the power 0.92; we interpret this to be roughly consistent with the recent results of Gao & Solomon. (2) We find LIR/M ratios ranging from ~38 to ~482 L☉/M☉ using a modified CO-H2 conversion factor of 8.3 × 1019 cm-2 (K km s-1)-1 derived in this paper.
Opportunities in discovery and delivery of anticancer drugs targeting mitochondria and cancer cell metabolism

Cancer cells are characterized by self-sufficiency in the absence of growth signals, their ability to evade apoptosis, resistance to anti-growth signals, sustained angiogenesis, uncontrolled proliferation, and invasion and metastasis. Alterations in cellular bioenergetics are an emerging hallmark of cancer. The mitochondrion is the major organelle implicated in the cellular bioenergetic and biosynthetic changes accompanying cancer. These bioenergetic modifications contribute to the invasive, metastatic and adaptive properties typical in most tumors. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA mutations complement the bioenergetic changes in cancer. Several cancer management therapies have been proposed that target tumor cell metabolism and mitochondria. Glycolytic inhibitors serve as a classical example of cancer metabolism targeting agents. Several TCA cycle and OXPHOS inhibitors are being tested for their anticancer potential. Moreover, agents targeting the PDC/PDK (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex/pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase) interaction are being studied for reversal of Warburg effect. Targeting of the apoptotic regulatory machinery of mitochondria is another potential anticancer field in need of exploration. Additionally, oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers, potassium channel modulators, and mitochondrial redox are under investigation for their anticancer potential. To this end there is an increased demand for agents that specifically hit their target. Delocalized lipophilic cations have shown tremendous potential in delivering anticancer agents selectively to tumor cells. This review provides an overview of the potential anticancer agents that act by targeting cancer cell metabolism and mitochondria, and also brings us face to face with the emerging opportunities in cancer therapy.