cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A situational analysis of the relationship between spouse-specific assertiveness and marital adjustment

This study examined the relationship between marital adjustment and spousespecific assertiveness, conceptualized in terms of defense of rights, in a sample of 115 married women, 27 of whom were in a distressed marriage. Subjects indicated their likely behavioral responses in 11 commonly occurring marital conflict situations and provided ratings of the expected effectiveness of their responses, the amount of resentment they would experience in the situations, and the frequency of occurrence of the situations in their marage. Marital adjustment was found to be directly related to response effectiveness and level of assertive responding and inversely related to situational resentment and frequency of transgression by spouse. Surprisingly, the level of assertive responding was less strongly related to marital adjustment than were any of the other principal variables. A multiple regression analysis indicated that the set of experimental variables accounted for 45% of the variance in marital adjustment. All of the principal variables uniquely accounted for significant levels of variance in marital adjustment. Viewed collectively, the results of this study indicate that (1) parameters of marital conflict situations have considerable importance for the marital adjustment of women and (2) explication of the relationship between marital conflict and marital adjustment requires investigation of a variety of behavioral, affective, and contextual variables.
Invasive Bullfrog Larvae Lack Developmental Plasticity to Changing Hydroperiod

Determining the mechanisms responsible for the success of invasive species is critical for developing effective management strategies. Artificially draining managed wetlands to maintain natural ephemeral conditions is a common practice in the Pacific Northwest and is assumed to kill invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) larvae, which typically overwinter in permanent wetlands before metamor- phosis. Bullfrogs in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, however, have invaded ephemeral wetland sites with confirmed metamorphosis within 4 months after hatching at 1 site. We hypothesized that plasticity in growth and development rates in response to hydroperiod facilitated bullfrog invasion in Oregon. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying larval bullfrog development and growth in response to 3 hydroperiod conditions in a mesocosm setting. We tested clutches collected from both ephemeral (n ¼ 3) and permanent (n ¼ 3) wetlands. We found no differences in development or growth due to hydroperiod treatments (body length, P ¼ 0.48; mass, P ¼ 0.27), but we found differences in growth among clutches (P � 0.001). These differences likely represent natural variation in growth rates because clutches collected from the same wetland type did not respond with similar growth and geographic barriers between collection sites did not account for the differences. These results indicate a lack of plasticity to hydroperiod and suggest that artificial hydroperiod manipulation in the Pacific Northwest will not induce rapid metamorphosis by invasive bullfrog larvae, although some genotypes may be capable of rapid growth and metamorphosis. 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Constraints for ICT Adoption (The EFITA Questionnaire Case Study)

The European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture (EFITA) Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Adoption Questionnaires were initiated in 1999 during the second EFITA Con...
Fighting for the Speakership: The House and the Rise of Party Government. By Jeffery A. Jenkins and Charles Stewart III. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2013. Pp. xvi, 476. $35.00.)

The authors of this work are political scientists, and it is likely that many readers of The Historian, more accustomed to the notation conventions and writing style of academic historians, may be ...
Lipopolysaccharide binding protein and CD14 in LPS dependent macrophage activation

The activation of monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) involves a serum protein, LPS binding protein (LBP), and a membrane protein, CD14. Evidence to date suggests a pathway in which serum LPS first binds to LBP. The LPS-LBP complexes then interact with CD14, leading to cellular activation. This scheme is supported by experiments in which either LBP or CD14 are blocked by antibodies as well as experiments in which LBP is added to serum free media and CD14 is expressed on cells which normally lack CD14. Discovery of this pathway suggests novel approaches to anti-LPS therapy.
Current Expectations and Existing Deficits among Addiction Specialists

Expectations of addiction counselors have changed over the past decade; however, preparation of addiction counselors has not kept pace, creating a deficit between the knowledge and skills required of today's addiction counselors and a workforce possessing such knowledge and skills.
Using first-order cognitive analysis to understand problem solving behavior: An example from accounting

We report a study of human problem solving in the accounting domain. This study has three characteristics. First, it is explicitly intended to aid in the development of instructional materials. Second, it uses a powerful task analyzing scheme as the basis for its conclusions. Third, we use a technique called First-Order Cognitive Analysis that combines the advantages of task analysis to overcome some of the traditional methodological problems posed to protocol analysis. Our representational scheme, KO, seems to be largely valid as a basis for reasoning about cognition, although only three subjects were studied.
To see a painting versus to walk in a painting: an experiment on sense-making through virtual reality

Abstract It has been maintained that Virtual Reality (VR) may allow students to “get into” the representation simulated by the computer, so that they can mentally act on the relation they have with the representation of the world instead of acting on the relation they have with the world itself. This should help students to realise some critical issues involved in knowledge construction and to grasp important epistemological implications. This general assumption needs to be empirically tested, for instance by showing that mental operations elicited by VR environments differ from those occurring in traditional instructional settings. The present experiment aimed to provide evidence for this, by focusing on a particular cognitive process: making sense. Forty university students were randomly assigned either to a reflection condition or to a VR immersion condition. In the first condition participants looked at the two-dimensional reproduction of an unfamiliar painting; in the second condition they were taken into a guided virtual tour into the same painting. Four tasks (to propose a title for the painting, to identify its meaning, to list questions suggested by it, and to write a comment) were given. Analyses of protocols revealed that students in the VR condition were induced to assume spontaneously a meta-perspective, namely, to think not to “what” they face, but to “why” or “how” something is in front of them. VR experience also prompted students to conceptualise experience at an abstract level and stimulated a free and imaginative elaboration. The reflection condition, instead, encouraged emphasis to be placed on the cultural or inferential links. Findings suggested that the outstanding features of VR for instruction, refer to the possibility that VR allows users to become aware of some implicit assumptions concerning the relations between our mind and the world.
Excitation of Atomic Hydrogen by Protons

Excitation cross sections for protons incident on atomic hydrogen calculated by nonadiabatic method
Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy of N2O− and (N2O)−2

Abstract We have recorded the photoelectron spectra of the gas phase negative ions N 2 O − and (N 2 O) 2 − both of which were prepared in a nozzle ion source. The shift between the maxima of the two spectra is interpreted in terms of the dissociation energy of the dimer ion.
Spectral shifts in the fluorescence spectrum of anthracene under the influence of laser driven shock compression

Abstract We report spectral shifts in the fluorescence emission of a solution of anthracene in benzene under the influence of laser driven shock compression. Red-shifts of up to 800 cm−1 are observed in the peak of the 0–1 vibronic band of anthracene corresponding to maximum pressures of =10 kbar. These results are in agreement with literature values of spectral shifts obtained under conditions of high static pressure. Laser driven shock provides an attractive alternative to conventional shock generation schemes when used in conjunction with optical spectroscopy as a probe of molecular level changes.
Ethics instruction at schools of public health in the United States. Association of Schools of Public Health Education Committee.

OBJECTIVES: A survey of US schools of public health was undertaken in 1996 and 1997 to obtain a general picture of public health ethics curricula. METHODS: An explanatory letter with a list of questions for discussion was sent to the deans of the accredited US schools of public health. The deans were asked that at least 1 individual at their school who "is most knowledgeable about ethics curricula" review the list of questions and complete an ethics survey contact form. RESULTS: Ethics instruction was required for all students at only 1 (4%) of the 24 schools surveyed, while 7 schools required ethics instruction for some students. Two of the schools had no ethics courses. Ethics instruction was required for all MPH students at 9 (38%) of the schools and for all doctoral students at 4 (17%) of the schools. Most of the schools (19 of 24, or 79%) offered short courses, seminar series, or invited lectures on ethical topics, and 23 (96%) included lectures on ethics topics in other courses such as health law. C...
Virilizing hepatoblastoma: Precocious sexual development and partial response of pulmonary metastases to cis‐platinum

Abstract A 42/3 year old boy with hepatoblastoma presented with precocious sexual development and an abdominal mass. During the course of disease, serial endocrinologic laboratory investigations were done, along with alpha-fetoprotein levels. A significant correlation is noted in these values at diagnosis, postsurgery, and later during a relapse. Ectopic production of chorionic gonadotropins by the tumor is evident. After extensive surgical resection, chemotherapy was started because of metastases. Although the primary tumor failed to respond, the pulmonary metastatic disease showed a greater than 50 percent response rate with cis-platinum.
Mantle convection and the state of the earth's interior

During 1983–1986, the four year period covered by this review, emphasis in the study of mantle convection shifted away from fluid mechanical analysis of simple systems with uniform material properties and simple geometries, toward analyzing the effects of more complicated, presumably more realistic models.
Rational Synthesis of Molybdenum(V) Tetramers Consisting of [Mo2O4]2+ Dimers Held Together by Bridging Phosphinate Ligands and the Tungsten(VI) Dimer [(CH3O)2(O)W(μ-O)(μ-O2PPh2)2W(O)(CH3O)2]: Structural and Theoretical Considerations

Reacting MoO2(acac)2 with Ph2POOH or Me2POOH in EtOH results in the formation of the tetranuclear molybdenum (V) clusters Mo4(μ 3-O)4(μ-O2PR2)4O4, PR2 = PPh2, 1, or PMe2, 2, in functional yields (>90% and 55% respectively). The reaction of WO2(acac)2 with Ph2POOH in MeOH affords the tungsten dimer [(CH3O)2(O)W(μ-O)(μ-O2PPh2)2W(O)(CH3O)2], 3. The single crystal X-ray determined structures of complexes 1–3 are reported. In 1 and 2, the four Mo=O units are interconnected by four triply bridging oxygen atoms, resulting in a distorted cubic-like structure for the Mo4(μ 3-O)4O4 units. Each molybdenum atom forms two additional Mo–O bonds with two oxygen atoms from different adjacent phosphinato ligands. Complex 3, a tungsten dimer, contains packing disorder and consists of bridging oxo and diphenylphosphinato ligands. The bonding of 1 and 2 assessed by density-functional methods showed that bonding between the Mo(V) centers occurs through σ overlap of the d xy orbitals.
MASS TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF A SORBENT-BASED RECIPROCATING DIALYZER

Theoretical analysis of solute transfer in a dialyzer with ideal periodic flow patterns provides a quantitative basis of evaluating designs and interpreting data. For constant volumetric flow rate of blood in each half cycle, two mass transfer models have been developed: one with fixed thickness of the blood film and changing transfer area and another with changing thickness and fixed transfer area. Fractional solute removal is calculated for membrane-Sherwood number ranging from 0.01 to infinity and dimensionless cycle time from 0.01 to 70. The theoretical efficiency of the second model is about twice that of the first, and within 20% of that of a flow-through parallel plate dialyzer with the same blood film thickness and membrane area, In-vitro experiments of creatinine transfer agree with the first model within experimental accuracy.
Self-Repairing Oxetane-Substituted Chitosan Polyurethane Networks

Polyurethanes have many properties that qualify them as high-performance polymeric materials, but they still suffer from mechanical damage. We report the development of polyurethane networks that exhibit self-repairing characteristics upon exposure to ultraviolet light. The network consists of an oxetane-substituted chitosan precursor incorporated into a two-component polyurethane. Upon mechanical damage of the network, four-member oxetane rings open to create two reactive ends. When exposed to ultraviolet light, chitosan chain scission occurs, which forms crosslinks with the reactive oxetane ends, thus repairing the network. These materials are capable of repairing themselves in less than an hour and can be used in many coatings applications, ranging from transportation to packaging or fashion and biomedical industries.
On the efficacy of present grid computing software for deploying a medical grid

Grid computing promises improvements in collaboration. This includes sharing of computational resources as well as improved collaboration amongst professionals of different areas of expertise. Several mature software applications are available for simplifying the deployment of an arbitrary grid. In this work, we share our experience with some of these applications for collaboration between a consortium of hospitals and our research lab, which specializes in neuroscience and image processing applications. We explain the suitability of the Grid tools through extensions and enhancements made to an existing Grid Computing Software platform and the visualization mechanisms of the display wall. This paper describes our grid computing prototype infrastructure, which uses Globus Toolkit-4 (GT4) and third-party components.
JAZ mediates G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis by positively regulating p53 transcriptional activity

We previously identified JAZ as a novel zinc finger (ZF) protein by screening a murine interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent NFS/N1.H7 myeloid cell cDNA library. JAZ is a member of a new class of ZFPs that is evolutionarily conserved and preferentially binds to dsRNA, but its function was unknown. Now, we report that the stress of IL-3 growth factor withdrawal up-regulates JAZ expression in hematopoietic cells in association with p53 activation and induction of cell death. Biochemical analysis reveals that JAZ associates with p53 to stimulate its transcriptional activity in p53-expressing cells, but not in p53-null cells unless complemented with p53. JAZ functions to mediate G1 cell-cycle arrest followed by apoptosis in a p53-dependent mechanism that is associated with up-regulation of p21 and BAX, dephosphorylation of Rb, and repression of cyclin A. Of importance, siRNA "knockdown" of endogenous JAZ inhibits p53 transcriptional activity, decreases the G1/G0 population, and attenuates stress-induced cell death. While JAZ directly binds p53 in vitro in a mechanism requiring p53's C-terminal regulatory domain but independent of dsRNA, the dsRNA-binding ZF domains are required for JAZ's stimulatory role of p53 in vivo by dictating its nuclear localization. Thus, JAZ is a novel negative regulator of cell growth by positively regulating p53.
Protein phosphorylation and excitation energy distribution in normal, intermittent-light-grown, and a chlorophyll b-less mutant of barley

Abstract We have analyzed the low-temperature (77 K) fluorescence induction curves from chloroplasts isolated from normal barley, a chlorophyll b-less mutant, and intermittent-light-grown barley. Using the equations derived from the bipartite model of photosynthesis we have shown an increase in both the proportion of absorbed quanta distributed to photosystem I (a) and the amount of energy transferred from photosystem II to photosystem I (ψT(II → I)), concomitant with phosphorylation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex serving photosystem II (LHC-II) in normal barley chloroplasts. No changes in these energy distribution parameters were observed in chloroplasts isolated from the chlorophyll b-less mutant or intermittent-light-grown barley, both of which lack the LHC-II. The 25,000-dalton LHC-II polypeptide was virtually the only phosphorylated protein in the wild-type barley and the incorporation of labeled phosphate could account for a single phosphorylation of up to 80–90% of the LHC-II in the thylakoid membrane. Simultaneous measurement of room-temperature fluorescence indicates that the thylakoid protein phosphorylation-induced quenching of fluorescence is indicative of a State II transition. The state transition is accompanied by small changes in the extent of grana stacking.
The effect of aging on the cutaneous microvasculature

Aging is associated with a progressive loss of function in all organs. Under normal conditions the physiologic compensation for age-related deficits is sufficient, but during times of stress the limitations of this reserve become evident. Explanations for this reduction in reserve include the changes in the microcirculation that occur during the normal aging process. The microcirculation is defined as the blood flow through arterioles, capillaries and venules, which are the smallest vessels in the vasculature and are embedded within organs and tissues. Optimal strategies to maintain the microvasculature following surgery and other stressors must use multifactorial approaches. Using skin as the model organ, we will review the anatomical and functional changes in the microcirculation with aging, and some of the available clinical strategies to potentially mitigate the effect of these changes on important clinical outcomes.
Analogies, Adaptation, and Anomalies☆

Abstract This paper studies decision makers characterized by a stock of models, or analogies, who respond to strategic interactions by applying what appear to be the most suitable models; balancing the gains from more sophisticated decisionmaking against the cost of placing heavier demands on scarce reasoning resources. Equilibrium models will be finely tuned to interactions, leading to seemingly “rational” behavior, when the interactions are sufficiently important and sufficiently distinct that a more generic model entails a prohibitive payoff reduction. Interactions that are infrequently encountered, relatively unimportant, or similar to other interactions may trigger seemingly inappropriate analogies, leading to behavioral anomalies. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C70, C72.
The Method of Choice for Reporting Comprehensive Income

Globalization of financial markets and exponential growth of cross-listing of foreign companies on stock exchanges in other countries throughout the world call for a need of a single global accounting language which ensures relevance, completeness, understandability, reliability, timeliness, neutrality, verifiability, consistency, comparability and transparency of financial statements. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) introduced International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The growing acceptance of IFRSs across the world presents an important challenge and represents a fundamental change in financial reporting. This study contributes to the latest discussions on international financial reporting by reviewing corporate financial statements of Fortune 500 companies to determine how corporations are reporting comprehensive income. We find that companies across the sample are consistent in reporting OCI - they utilize a separate statement for OCI reporting.
Influence of physicochemical properties of silver nanoparticles on mast cell activation and degranulation.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly being incorporated into products for their antimicrobial properties. This has resulted in increased human exposures and the possibility of adverse health effects. Mast cells orchestrate allergic immune responses through degranulation and release of pre-formed mediators. Little data exists on understanding interactions of AgNPs with mast cells and the properties that influence activation and degranulation. Using bone marrow-derived mast cells and AgNPs of varying physicochemical properties we tested the hypothesis that AgNP physicochemical properties influence mast cell degranulation and osteopontin production. AgNPs evaluated included spherical 20 nm and 110 nm suspended in either polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or citrate, Ag plates suspended in PVP of diameters between 40–60 nm or 100–130 nm, and Ag nanowires suspended in PVP with thicknesses <100 nm and length up to 2 μm. Mast cell responses were found to be dependent on the physicochemical properties of the AgNP. Further, we determined a role for scavenger receptor B1 in AgNP-induced mast cell responses. Mast cell degranulation was not dependent on AgNP dissolution but was prevented by tyrosine kinase inhibitor pretreatment. This study suggests that exposure to AgNPs may elicit adverse mast cell responses that could contribute to the initiation or exacerbation of allergic disease.
Evaluation of a Long‐Pulse Q‐Switched Nd:YAG Laser for Hair Removal

Background.Hirsutism and hypertrichosis are common problems for which a permanent solution has been elusive. Laser-assisted hair removal is a promising technique. However, the optimal wavelength, pulse duration, and fluence continue to require further investigation.Objective.To determine if the long
Recruitment and recovery of pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata) in a historically overexploited kelp forest: Are local populations self-sustaining?

Abstract After experiencing a reduction in density, many populations of benthic, broadcast spawning marine invertebrates have struggled to recover or have collapsed. Genetic techniques may help to distinguish populations that are self-sustaining from those at risk of further decline, and demographic interdependence among subpopulations. We tested the use of genetic data for identifying stable and self-sustaining abalone populations, as well as the efficacy of a restoration technique for use in those populations that are not. We created an artificial aggregation of wild adult pink abalone ( Haliotis corrugata ) in the Point Loma kelp forest near San Diego, CA, USA. We genetically analyzed those individuals and additional adults and juveniles in the broader region. A self-sustained population should not be demographically reliant upon immigration. Temporal variability in relatedness among juvenile cohorts, and a lack of fine-scale spatial structure in adult and juvenile relatedness indicated complex recruitment dynamics and/or long distance larval delivery. We estimated a low effective population size (N e = 188) and a very low ratio of effective population to census population size (N e /N = 2.0 × 10 − 3 ). These data are consistent with sweepstakes reproductive success, and suggest that the population is at risk of genetic diversity decline. Parentage assignment revealed that none of the juveniles sampled one year after aggregating adults had parents from this aggregation. Collectively, our results suggest that restoration efforts will need to achieve a greater density (0.18 m − 2 ) and/or number of individuals (46) to improve local recruitment. Our results also suggest that the Point Loma kelp forest population of pink abalone is of insufficient density for long-term viability, may be reliant upon immigration, and cannot be defined as an independent “local” population unit.
Pulmonary Embolism After Total Joint Arthroplasty: Cost and Effectiveness of Four Treatment Modalities

Pulmonary embolism (PE) treatment relies on therapeutic anticoagulation and may be associated with severe complications. Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are used as an alternative/adjunct to anticoagulation. In this study we evaluate 4 treatment protocols for clinical efficacy and cost. We reviewed over 27,000 total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. We retrospectively identified 294 patients with a documented, symptomatic PE within 90 days of surgery. All patients were treated with warfarin postoperatively. In addition, for the acute management, patients were divided into four treatment groups: (1) IVCF only, (2) IVCF with heparin, (3) heparin only and (4) no treatment. Complication rates, hospital stay and PE recurrence are reported. Among patients who received warfarin, IVCF was associated with fewer complications and lower overall hospital costs compared to the use of heparin for the treatment of PE after TJA.
The Role of Noncoding “Junk DNA” in Cardiovascular Disease

The complete sequencing of the human genome has revealed many mysteries on how aberrations in gene structure and regulation contribute to disease. One of the most unforeseen and potentially revolutionary findings since the complete annotation of the human genome is the complexity of noncoding DNA. What was once considered “junk DNA” now holds the keys to many novel gene regulatory mechanisms, and genetic variation within these regions likely accounts for a major portion of disease susceptibility. Until recently, the biochemical mechanisms linking noncoding DNA, which does not encode any proteins, to the pathogenesis of disease were largely unknown, but there has been a torrent of new information in this field that has the prospect of changing how we diagnose and treat patients. An interesting example of how noncoding DNA can regulate gene expression and increase cardiovascular disease risk was recently reported by Visel et al. in Nature (1). Many previous studies have identified a strong association between a genetic locus on 9p21 with cardiovascular disease outcomes, but the cause for this association was unknown. In some populations, as many as 25% of individuals harbor the risk allele, which increases cardiovascular risk as much as 3-fold. The report by Visel et al. (1) suggests that a distal noncoding DNA element located in 9p21 controls vascular gene expression and may account for its association with cardiovascular disease. Mice with an orthologous deletion of a 70-kbp segment in chromosome 4, which corresponds to the 9p21 region in humans, had increased weight gain and mortality on a high-fat diet. Deletion of this region also caused the selective loss of expression of 2 adjacent genes that lie approximately 100 kbp outside of the deletion. The 2 genes affected by the deletion are the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor genes Cdkn2a 2 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) and Cdkn2b …
Molecular mechanism for low pH triggered misfolding of the human prion protein.

Conformational changes in the prion protein cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, also referred to as prion diseases. In its native state, the prion protein is innocuous (PrPC), but it can misfold into a neurotoxic and infectious isoform (PrPSc). The full-length cellular form of the prion protein consists of residues 23−230, with over half of the sequence belonging to the unstructured N-terminal domain and the remaining residues forming a small globular domain. During misfolding and aggregation, portions of both the structured and unstructured domains are incorporated into the aggregates. After limited proteolysis by proteinase K, the most abundant fragment from brain-derived prion fibrils is a 141-residue fragment composed of residues 90−230. Here we describe simulations of this fragment of the human prion protein at low pH, which triggers misfolding, and at neutral pH as a control. The simulations, in agreement with experiment, show that this biologically and pathologically relevant prion con...
Rodeo and recollection-applied ethics and western philosophy.

(1996). Rodeo and Recollection—Applied Ethics and Western Philosophy. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 1-9.
Addendum to Stronger than uniform convergence of multistep difference methods

This paper fills a gap which remained in "Stronger than Uniform Convergence of Multistep Difference Methods", Numerische Mathematik 8, 29 (1966), namely to show that from the stability of the homogeneous difference operator on the particular basis chosen in the solution space one can infer its stability on the whole solution space.
Comparative sensitivities of purified preparations of lysyl oxidase and other amine oxidases to active site-directed enzyme inhibitors.

Recent evidence has revealed that lysyl oxidase, plasma amine oxidase and diamine oxidase each contain copper and pyrroloquinoline quinone at their active sites as cofactors essential to their catalytic functions. It thus seems likely that these enzymes will share similar mechanisms of action. Since mechanism-based inhibitors of lysyl oxidase have important chemotherapeutic potential for the control of fibrotic disease, the relative inhibitory potential of such agents toward catalytically similar amine oxidases was assessed in the present study using purified preparations of lysyl oxidase, diamine oxidase, plasma amine oxidase and the flavin-dependent mitochondrial monoamine oxidase A and B. The results indicate that there is sufficient difference between the sensitivities of lysyl oxidase and the other amine oxidases to β-aminopropionitrile to warrant its consideration as an antifibrotic agent in vivo, while also revealing that aminoguanidine, clorgyline and deprenyl are sufficiently selective for diamin...
Mate choice in the face of both inbreeding and outbreeding depression in the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus

In species vulnerable to both inbreeding and outbreeding depression, individuals might be expected to choose mates at intermediate levels of genetic relatedness. Previous work on the intertidal copepod Tigriopus californicus has repeatedly shown that crosses between populations result in either no effect or hybrid vigor in the first generation, and hybrid breakdown in the second generation. Previous work also shows that mating between full siblings results in inbreeding depression. The present study again found inbreeding depression, with full sibling mating causing significant fitness declines in two of the three populations assayed. In the mate choice assays, a single female was combined with two males. Despite the costs of both inbreeding and outbreeding, mate choice showed clear inbreeding avoidance but no clear pattern of outbreeding avoidance. This lack of outbreeding avoidance may be attributed either to the temporary increase in fitness in the F1 generation or to the absence of selection for premating isolation in wholly allopatric populations with infrequent migration. If this inability to avoid unwise matings is common to other taxa, it may contribute to the problem of outbreeding depression when allopatric populations are mixed together.
Asynchronous discrete-time signal processing with molecular reactions

This paper presents a new methodology to synthesize molecular reactions for discrete-time signal processing (DSP) computations that produce time-varying quantities of molecules as a function of time-varying input quantities. DSP structures include delay elements which need to be synchronized by a clock signal. This paper demonstrates an approach to synthesize molecular reactions to implement DSP operations without requiring a clock signal. In the proposed approach, each delay and output variables are mapped to two types of molecules. The scheduling of the reactions is controlled by absence indicators, i.e., signals transfer according to the absence of other signals. All computations are scheduled in four phases. The input signal and values stored in all delay elements are consumed for computations in the first phase. Results of computations are stored in the first types of molecule corresponding to the delay elements and output variables. During the second phase, the value of the first molecular type is transferred to the second molecular type for the output variable. In the third phase, the values of first types of molecule are transferred to the second types of molecule associated with each delay element. The output molecules are collected in the fourth phase. The method is illustrated by synthesizing a simple FIR filter, an IIR filter, and an 8-point real-valued fast Fourier transform (FFT). The synthesized systems consist of bimolecular reactions and are translated to DNA-strand displacement reactions. The methodology is validated through mass-action simulations of DNA kinetics. The proposed approach may play a potential role in applications such as drug delivery and in monitoring spectral content of proteins.
A Quantitative Immunoassay for the Lysine-Binding Function of Lipoprotein(a) Application to Recombinant Apo(a) and Lipoprotein(a) in Plasma

Abstract Apo(a), the unique apoprotein of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]), can express lysine-binding site(s) (LBS). However, the LBS activity of Lp(a) is variable, and this heterogeneity may influence its pathogenetic properties. An LBS-Lp(a) immunoassay has been developed to quantitatively assess the LBS function of Lp(a). Lp(a) within a sample is captured with an immobilized monoclonal antibody specific for apo(a), and the captured Lp(a) is reacted with an antibody specific for functional LBS. The binding of this LBS-specific antibody is then quantified by using an alkaline phosphatase–conjugated disclosing antibody. The critical LBS-specific antibody was raised to kringle 4 of plasminogen. When applied to plasma samples, the LBS activity of Lp(a) ranged from 0% to 100% of an isolated reference Lp(a); the signal corresponded to the percent retention of Lp(a) on a lysine-Sepharose column but did not correlate well with total Lp(a) levels in plasma. Mutation of residues in the putative LBS in the carboxy-terminal kringle 4 repeat (K4-37) in an eight-kringle apo(a) construct resulted in marked but not complete loss of activity in the LBS-Lp(a) immunoassay. These data suggest that this kringle is the major but not the sole source of LBS activity in apo(a). The LBS-Lp(a) immunoassay should prove to be a useful tool in establishing the role of the LBS in the pathogenicity of Lp(a).
Enthalpy changes for hemoglobin-ligand interactions: Revised calorimetric data

Abstract Recently we reported values for the succesive enthalpy changes for the four steps of oxygen binding by diphosphoglycerate-free adult human hemoglobin [ Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 56 , 555 (1974) ]. Systematic errors in the data render these results invalid. New data shows that cooperativity prevents resolution of successive heats of reaction and only average heats are currently accessible. At pH 7.4 and 6o we obtain: Δ H[ 1 4 Hb+O 2 → 1 4 Hb (O 2 ) 4 ]=−13.2±0.4 , Δ H[ 1 4 Hb(O 2 ) 4 +CO→ 1 4 Hb(CO) 4 +O 2 ]=−4.0±0.1 , Δ H[ 1 4 Hb+CO→ 1 4 Hb(CO) 4 ] =−17.7±0.4 kcal/mole ligand. These data form a consistent thermodynamic cycle.
New methods to study lumbar spine biomechanics: Delineation of in vitro load-displacement characteristics by using a robotic/UFS testing system with hybrid control

Delineation of the load-displacement characteristics of osteoligamentous spinal specimens has become fundamental to the investigation of the biomechanics of the spine. In vitro biomechanical testing of the spine requires not only highly specialized testing machines and devices for measuring loads and displacements, but also implementation of a control method to govern the application of loads and displacements to a specimen. Traditionally, in vitro load-displacement characteristics of the spine have been obtained through biomechanical tests that are performed in either a load control or a displacement control mode, with relative advantages and disadvantages. These control methods are in fact complementary, in that one method or the other is viewed as being more applicable in certain regions of the nonlinear load-displacement curve. A combination of load control and displacement control methods, termed hybrid control, offers advantages over either load control or displacement control methods alone for in vitro biomechanical testing of the spine. This article describes the application of a robotic/UFS (universal force-moment sensor) testing system with hybrid control to the delineation of the in vitro load-displacement characteristics of human lumbar functional spinal units (FSUs). Preliminary results obtained using this system demonstrate successful delineation of FSU load-displacement response in quarter-degree increments throughout specimen flexion/extension range of motion, with minimal coupled loads in secondary degrees-of-freedom. Characteristic S-shaped curves of the moment-rotation response were obtained, consistent with previous reports of the FSU having a region of low stiffness (neutral zone) bounded by regions of increasing stiffness (elastic zones). Further developments of hybrid control theory as applied to the spine could help to elucidate the interactions that occur among the passive, active, and neural control subsystems of the spine.
Cis‐trans isomerization of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids

The equilibrium composition ofcis andtrans isomers obtained by isomerizing oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids with selenium or nitrous acid has been studied using gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. The oleic/elaidic equilibrium mixture was found to contain 75–80% elaidic acid instead of the generally accepted 66% value. It is felt that the greater accuracy of gas chromatography and infrared analyses over older methods allows this equilibrium to be defined with greater precision. Similar studies on thecis-trans isomerization of linoleic and linolenic acids indicated that their equilibrium mixtures also contained 75–80%trans double bonds. With linoleic acid, thesetrans bonds were shown to be randomly distributed among the double bonds present. Cis-trans isomerization of linoleic or linolenic acids with selenium produced by-products having elution times equivalent to 18∶2, 18∶1, and 18∶0 on a gas chromatograph. No such by-products were observed when oleic acid was isomerized. Apparently some type of hydrogen-transfer reaction accompanies thecis-trans isomerization of polyunsaturated acids with selenium.
A flexible and efficient approach to E‐beam proximity effect correction—PYRAMID

Electron scattering in the resist causes blurring of the written circuit features in electron-beam (E-beam) lithography, which is referred to as the proximity effect. As the feature size in a circuit pattern is continuously reduced in an effort to increase circuit density, the proximity effect has become too prominent to be ignored any more. Without a proper correction of the proximity effect, the pattern density and feature shapes that can be fabricated would be significantly limited especially for nanoscale circuit patterns. A hierarchical approach, named PYRAMID, was proposed in order to develop a flexible and efficient method for proximity effect correction. It distinguishes itself from other methods in that it takes a two-level approach to exposure estimation and modification of shape and/or dose of circuit features. The hierarchical approach of PYRAMID, which exploits the shape of a typical point spread function (PSF) of the E-beam lithographic process, attempts to reduce the computational requirement without degrading correction accuracy substantially. Through experiments and simulation, it has been demonstrated that PYRAMID has a potential to be a practical E-beam proximity effect correction method. Currently, PYRAMID is being extended for grayscale lithography and nonrectangular features.
The author of John’s letters – the Evangelist, or another?

Ever since C.H. Dodd suggested that he had found significant differences in the vocabulary used in the Johannine letters from that of the Gospel, Bible commentators have debated the possibility of different authorship. This paper aims to show that the Elder, the author of the letters, is undoubtedly different from the Evangelist by demonstrating that their personality types (as described by Jung) are widely different. The three letters were scrutinised for words or styles which betray the author’s personality type and 276 indications of personality type pointed strongly towards Sensing, Feeling, and Judging preferences, with the probability of Extraversion. The Elder’s strong tendency towards Sensing lies in diametric opposition to the Evangelist’s all‐prevailing Intuition. These two authors are shown to be as different as chalk and cheese; thus closing a long debate. A full type description (ESFJ) shows how his personality fits his role in the Johannine Community and explains both his apparent failure to...
Direct thrust measurement of a 30-cm ion thruster

A direct thrust measurement of a 30-cm diameter ion thruster was accomplished by means of a laser interferometer thrust stand. The thruster was supported in a pendulum manner by three 3.65-m long wires. Electrical power was provided by means of 18 mercury filled pots. A movable 23-button planar probe rake was used to determine thrust loss due to ion beam divergence. Values of thrust, thrust loss due to ion beam divergence, and thrust loss due to multiple ionization were measured for ion beam currents ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 A. Measured thrust values indicate an accuracy of approximately 1% and are in good agreement with thrust values calculated by indirect measurements.
Excitation of capillary waves by longer waves

At low wind speeds the shortest capillary waves appear to be generated hydrodynamically and not by the wind. This phenomenon is investigated using a Hamiltonian representation of the surface wave dynamics. A perturbation technique of Kolmogorov is used to transform away non-resonant, nonlinear interactions. Resonant interactions are treated by the Hasselmann transport equation, applied to the transformed variables. Calculated spectra show reasonable agreement with the observations of Jahne & Riemer (1990).
Abrupt changes in the water balance of tropical West Africa during the late Quaternary

[1] Understanding the causes of tropical climate variability requires an understanding of not only the temporal patterns of these changes, but their spatial extent and magnitude. In this study, we employ a water balance modeling approach to simulate the magnitude of hydrologic changes associated with the geologic record of past lake stands at Lake Bosumtwi, West Africa. Our results indicate that lake level lowering during the late glacial (16 ka) was likely the result of a ∼20% decrease in precipitation, consistent with general circulation modeling (GCM) results and existing paleohydrological estimates in Africa. In contrast, our observation-based estimate of hydrologic change during the early Holocene (∼5–10 ka) is at odds with the magnitude and direction of hydrologic changes predicted by GCM results, suggesting that the models may not adequately reproduce the processes associated with large-scale changes in the West African monsoon. Our results for drought events at 12 and 8.7 ka are also inconsistent with GCM predictions of a precipitation dipole over West Africa, but depend strongly on assumptions about other hydrologic parameters such as relative humidity and temperature. Our water balance model also indicates that significant hydrologic changes occurred in response to changes in orbital forcing at ∼70–80 ka, possibly associated with an eccentricity-driven shift in precession. Drought conditions also occurred during the same time as the European “Little Ice Age,” indicating a connection between relatively minor Northern Hemisphere cooling and drought conditions in Africa. These results suggest that the West African monsoon has the potential to respond in a highly nonlinear way to forcing involving changes in the solar radiation over Africa.
Mechanism of Action of Dopamine on the in Vitro Release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

Controversy exists on whether dopamine (DA) stimulates or inhibits GnRH secretion and whether its effects are mediated via α-adrenergic receptors or dopaminergic receptors. As a means to examine this conflict, we have utilized an in vitro superfusion system to study the effects of DA, norepinephrine (NE), phentolamine (μ-antagonist), pimozide (DA antagonist), and two DA agonists (apomorphine and bromocryptine) on GnRH release from isolated mediobasal hypothalami from adult male rats. In this dynamic system, graded concentrations of both NE and DA (2.0 nm to 2.0 μm) led to a dose-dependent increase in GnRH output during the 10 min interval that followed each pulse dose of NE (P < 0.02). or DA (P < 0.05). The DA-induced GnRH release was reproducible, consistent, and significant over five successive pulses (20 μm) at 30-min intervals (P < 0.02). Coinfusion of phentolamine (20 nM) prevented the DA (20 MM) induced release of GnRH (P < 0.03), but pimozide (20 nM) had no significant effect on DA-induced GnRH rel...
Occipital neuralgia as a sequela of sports concussion: a case series and review of the literature.

Sports and recreation-related concussions are common, with an annual incidence in the United States estimated to be between 1.6 and 3.8 million (19,20,22). The majority of these injuries are considered to be self-limited; however prolonged symptoms of greater than 3 months are not uncommon (5,10,25,27). In particular, delayed headache is associated with delayed recovery from concussion and increased risk of postconcussion syndrome (3,8,10). The pathophysiology of postconcussive headache is likely complex and multifactorial, involving both local injury as well as the activation of peripheral and central pain pathways. Occipital neuralgia (ON) is a known etiology of headaches and may stem from trauma to the neck, such as with a concussion or whiplash injury (23). ON also may feature symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and photosensitivity that are associated commonly with concussion. Despite these features, ON may be an underappreciated cause of headache in sports-related concussion; a PubMed search returned only one reference when using the terms “sports” and “occipital neuralgia” (26). Due to the prominence of headache as a symptom in concussion, the potential for concomitant conditions such as ON arising from the same traumatic injury, and the overlapping symptomatology between these conditions, it is important that clinicians be able to recognize ON in the management of concussion. In this case series, we will report on our observation of ON as a significant factor in the postconcussion headaches and symptomatology of three patients. We also will present a brief review of the available literature on ON, with attention to its relevant anatomy, presentation, examination, and treatment.