cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Information Provided By Two Song Forms of the Eastern Kingbird, T. Tyrannus

Eastern kingbirds facilitate prediction of their social behavior through the proportional use of two different song forms, zeer and chatter-zeer, in daytime singing performances. The chatter-zeer song form predicts approach to closer quarters, whereas zeer predicts a high probability of staying put. The correlations of each song form with behavior were determined by observing natural encounters singers had with their mates, conspecific intruders and birds of other species. Playback simulations of territorial intrusions were then used to test whether singers would approach with a high proportion of chatter-zeer and little or no zeer. This was strongly confirmed. Kingbirds who approach are taking a major interactional initiative, even though their next move is usually to await the other individual's response. In effect, singers dare or encourage those individuals to interact. The chatter-zeer with which they precede or announce approach does not specify the kind of interaction for which singers are prepared: the information it provides is as relevant in events in which the singer associates with its mate as in events in which the singer confronts an opponent. A zeer singer is less actively provocative, deferring initiative more while nonetheless being ready to respond to the actions of others. By providing information about the relative probabilities of these actions, singing should help kingbirds to negotiate or even arrange social issues while spatially separated, often obviating closer encounters. Since many kinds of animals sing, and since the characteristic continuity and cadencing of singing performances are specializations well suited to communicating at a distance, it is worth asking if other species also use singing patterns and songs to distinguish between the actions of holding back and approaching.
Acceptability of lower glycemic index foods in the diabetes camp setting.

Objective To determine the acceptability of lower glycemic index (GI) foods served at diabetes camp.
Solvothermal syntheses, high- and low-temperature crystal structures, and thermochromic behavior of [1,2-diethyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-pyrazolium] 4 [Bi 4 I 16 ] and [1,10-phenanthrolinium][BiI 4 ]·(H 2 O)

Abstract A new iron(II) scorpionate complex, {Fe[HC(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2}(I)2 (pz = pyrazolyl) (1), and two novel compounds containing low-dimensional poly(iodobismuthate) anions [1,2-Et2-3,4,5-Me3pz]4[Bi4I16] ([1,2-Et2-3,4,5-Me3pz]+ = [1,2-diethyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-pyrazolium]+) (2), and [H(1,10-phen)][BiI4]·(H2O) ([H(1,10-phen)]+ = [1,10-phenanthrolinium]+) (3), have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystals of 2 resulted from the solvothermal reaction of BiI3 and {Fe[HC(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2}(I)2 in an ethanol/water solvent mixture. The anion of this compound is discrete (0-D) and consists of four slightly distorted BiI6 octahedra joined in an edge-sharing arrangement, and the cation is a decomposition/solvent attack product of the iron scorpionate complex. Crystals of 3 resulted from the solvothermal reaction of BiI3, 1,10-phenanthroline, and CuI in an ethanol/water solvent mixture. [H(1,10-phen)][BiI4]·(H2O) contains 1-D chains of BiI6 octahedra and a protonated phenanthroline/water molecule complex. Both 2 and 3 are thermochromic compounds as their colors change, respectively, from orange at 296 K to yellow upon cooling to 100 K and from red-orange at 296 K to orange at 100 K. Crystallographic data at both temperatures were recorded for each sample and are reported here. The crystallographic data indicate that interatomic distances (Bi–I and Bi⋯Bi) within the inorganic anions change as a function of temperature, and it is believed that these changes are associated with the observation of thermochromism. {Fe[HC(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2}(I)2 (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with the following lattice parameters at 150(1) K: a = 10.8489(5) A, b = 17.6642(9) A, c = 15.4131(8) A, β = 102.4860(10)°. [Et2Me3pz]4[Bi4I16] (2) and [H(1,10-phen)][BiI4]·(H2O) (3) both crystallize in the triclinic space group P 1 ¯ with the following lattice parameters for 2 at 296(1) K and 100(1) K, respectively: a = 11.2923(4) A, b = 13.6412(5) A, c = 15.0824(6) A, α = 78.2090(10)°, β = 71.9670(10)°, and γ = 67.4020(10)°; a = 11.0963(7) A, b = 13.4158(8) A, c = 14.9840(9) A, α = 79.1450(10)°, β = 71.1310(10)°, and γ = 68.1360(10)°. Lattice parameters for 3 at 296(1) K and 100(1) K, respectively, are as follows: a = 7.7590(4) A, b = 11.1477(5) A, c = 12.0731(6) A, α = 77.6570(10)°, β = 79.1900(10)°, and γ = 71.2950(10)°; a = 7.7000(4) A, b = 10.9265(6) A, c = 11.9748(7) A, α = 78.1020(10)°, β = 79.9940(10)°, and γ = 71.8380(10)°.
First Record of the Indo-Pacific Swimming Crab, Charybdis Hellerii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867) in the Gulf of Mexico

Charybdis hellerii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867) is a native of the Indo-West Pacific faunal province, but the species has been introduced nearly worldwide. The species entered the Mediterranean Sea as a Lessepsian migrant after the opening of the Suez Canal in the late 1800s (Por, 1971). Shipping from eastern Mediterranean ports has been proposed as the method of introduction of the species into the western Atlantic Ocean in the late 1980s (Campos & T?rkay, 1989; Galil & Zenetos, 2002). Dineen et al. (2001) described the larval development of C. hellerii and concluded that development time is sufficiently long (44 days in the laboratory) to allow for trans-Atlantic transport of the larvae in ship ballast water. The western Atlantic introduction appears to have been widespread over a relatively short time period. Early reports of the locations of C. hellerii capture in the western Atlantic included the waters off South Carolina (captured in 1986, but not identified until 2001, per David Knott, pers. comm., as U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Specimen ID # 164602), Cuba (1987; reported in G?mez & Mart?nez-Iglesias, 1990), Venezuela (1987; Hernandez & Bola?os, 1995), and Columbia (1987; Campos & T?rkay, 1989). By the midto late-1990s, established populations (defined by the presence of adult males and females, ovigerous females, and juveniles) had been observed in the Indian River Lagoon on the eastern Florida coast (Lemaitre, 1995) and as far south as Sao Paulo State, Brazil (Mantelatto & Garcia, 2001). The most recent reports extended the known range of C hellerii in the western Atlantic from approximately 35?N (North Carolina; USGS NAS Specimen ID # 164602) to nearly 28?S (Santa Catarina State, Brazil; Mantelatto & Dias, 1999). Coastal range expansions have been attributed to larval transport on southward-flowing coastal currents along the
Planning and control processes across the life span: an overview

We present a brief overview of the areas of planning and control to provide a context for the individual papers in this special issue. For both topics we consider development across the life span, subgroup variations (e.g. by gender), and correlates (e.g. well-being). We then explore potential linkages between planning and control. Our attempt to integrate control and planning is meant to stimulate future work which considers these processes together from a life span perspective.
The Third Generation: Hungarian Jews on Screen

The post-Cold War era, with its redrawn European topographies and renegotiated political and cultural alliances, has witnessed the return of Central European Jews to the screen in fiction features, documentary and experimental films, and new media. A younger generation of filmmakers devoted to speaking out on the Holocaust and its aftermath is opening vibrant new spaces of dialogue among historians, literary and scholars, as well as within the framework of families and audiences. By articulating unresolved questions of Jewish identity, memory and history, their work both extends and interrogates prior narratives and visual representations. My presentation compares recent films by several filmmakers with regard to the contested meanings of Jewish identity; issues of gender and the filmmaker’s voice and subject position; the contextualization of historical evidence; and innovative modes and genres of cinematic representation.
The contradictions of modernization in the German welfare state: Gender and the politics of welfare reform in First World War Germany∗

(1992). The contradictions of modernization in the German welfare state: Gender and the politics of welfare reform in First World War Germany. Social History: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 251-270.
Demonstration of microwave method for detection of alkali–silica reaction (ASR) gel in cement-based materials

Abstract Microwave methods have previously shown success in detecting changes in moisture content and binding (e.g., bound water vs. free water) in cement-based materials through extensive analysis of their reflection coefficient. Here, the novel use of microwave measurements is demonstrated to distinguish between mortars containing alkali–silica reactive (ASR) aggregate and non-reactive aggregate. The variations in measurements are linked to the production of ASR gel and its tendency to attract free water from its environment. This paper presents the analysis and results of the interaction of microwave signals with ASR gel-producing mortar samples and those without the ASR gel.
The structure of simple reaction time to step-function signals

Abstract Simple reaction time to a step-function signal of amplitude A can be additively decomposed into a signal-dependent component, T(A) (converging to zero as A increases), and a signal-independent component, R. The two components, however, are not mutually independent, they both are increasing deterministic functions of a single random variable; T(A) = T(A, C) and R = R(C). C is interpreted as a “criterion” or “inhibition factor” controlling simultaneously “readiness to detect” and “readiness to respond”. The model is not based on a priori distributional assumptions. RT percentiles of a given rank P computed across RT distributions for different values of A, have a deterministic structure, RTP(A) = T(A, CP) + R(CP), where CP is the Pth percentile of C. Subtracting RT P (A ∗ ) for a very large A ∗ from RTP(A), one gets an estimate of T(A, CP), the Pth percentile of T(A). Applying this to different values of P, one can a posteriori reconstruct the joint distribution of the two RT components. The asymptotic consequences of this model (for sufficiently large A) are corroborated by data on the RT to instantaneous displacements of a visual target.
Gender, Work, and Family in Cuba: The Challenges of the Special Period

It is within the context of the Special Period, the economic crisis that began in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the tightening of the economic blockade by the United States, that we analyze work and family relations in Cuba. Although women made significant gains in the labor market after the Revolution, the Special Period has eroded many of these gains. Using interviews collected in Cuba, we document the struggles that women workers encountered in order to continue to support their families and stay in the labor market. The growth of jobs in the tourist sector has led to worker redistribution and occupational downward mobility, as workers moved from professional to less skilled jobs in the tourism industry with little opportunities for mobility. We also capture how the Special Period has impacted Cuban families. Despite state attempts to legislate gender equity within the family, patriarchy was never fully eradicated in the home. This failure of the revolutionary project has b...
Hyperfiltration of NaCl Solutions Using a Simulated Clay/sand Mixture at Low Compaction Pressures

It is widely recognized that clays and shales can demonstrate membrane properties. When a hydraulic head differential exists across a membrane-functioning clay-rich barrier, some of the solute is rejected by the membrane. This process is known as hyperfiltration. Some shallow geologic environments, including aquitards bounding shallow perched aquifers and unconfined aquifers, some river and stream beds, and some lake bottoms contain clay–soil mixes. Many engineering structures such as landfill liners, mixed soil augered barriers, and retention pond liners also consist of soil–clay mixes. No previous testing has been performed to investigate the likelihood that hyperfiltration may occur in such mixed soils. Therefore, we performed five experiments using different mixes of Na-bentonite and glass beads (100, 50, 25, 12 and 0% clay) to determine if any of these mixes exhibited membrane properties and to investigate what effect clay content had upon the membrane properties of the soil. Each mixture was compacted to 345 kPa and the sample mixtures were 0.58–0.97 mm thick. All the experiments used an approximately 35 ppm Cl− solution under an average 103 kPa hydraulic head. Experimental results show that all the simulated clay–sand mixtures do exhibit measurable membrane properties under these conditions. Values of the calculated reflection coefficient ranged from a low of 0.03 for 12% bentonite to 0.19 for 100% bentonite. Solute rejection ranged from 5.2% for 12% clay to a high of over 30% for the 100% clay. The 100% glass bead sample exhibited no membrane properties.
Stability of an Evaporating Liquid Film Under Nonequilibrium Conditions With Variable Gravity

An evolution equation describing the dynamics of an evaporating liquid film has previously been developed from the governing equations of fluid dynamics after the application of the lubrication approximation and the choice of a viscous time scale.The authors have solved the evaporating liquid film evolution equation with a validated numeric program. Different mechanical boundary conditions were successfully applied and their effect on the film dynamics was examined. The evolution equation has also been modified to include buoyancy driven instabilities.This paper outlines a linear stability analysis that was performed on the time dependent, evaporating liquid film evolution equation. The effect of the evaporation rate, departure from equilibrium at the interface and variable gravity is examined by solving the equation as an initial value problem.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
FIR digital filters with least-squares stopbands subject to peak-gain constraints

The use of digital filters with peak-constrained least weighted-squared errors (PCLWSE) is proposed. The emphasis is on PCLWSE filters with equiripple passbands and peak-constrained least-squares (PCLS) stopbands. The stopband energy is minimized subject to a constraint on the maximum stopband gain. A design algorithm is presented, and examples are discussed. Each example provides the unique optimal solution to the corresponding design problem. The tradeoff between the peak stopband gain and the total stopband energy is examined. It is shown that the most inefficient filters have minimax or least-squares stopbands. In particular, the stopband energy for minimax filters can be significantly reduced with almost no change in the peak stopband gain. Also, the peak stopband gain for filters with least-squares stopbands can be significantly reduced with almost no change in the total stopband energy. These results are supported by mathematical analysis, and examples are provided. >
When Teachers' and Parents' Values Differ: Teachers' Ratings of Academic Competence in Children from Low-Income Families

The authors examined predictors of teachers' ratings of academic competence of 105 kindergarten children from low-income families. Teachers rated target children's expected competence in literacy and math and completed questions about their perceptions of congruence-dissonance between themselves and the child's parents regarding education-related values. Independent examiners assessed children's literacy and math skills. Teachers' instructional styles were observed and rated along dimensions of curriculum-centered and student-centered practices. Controlling for children's skills and socioeconomic status, teachers rated children as less competent when they perceived value differences with parents. These patterns were stronger for teachers who exhibited curriculum-centered, rather than student-centered, practices. The findings suggest a mechanism by which some children from low-income families enter a path of diminished expectations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Sound Diplomacy: Music and Emotions in Transatlantic Relations, 1850–1920

Sound Diplomacy: Music and Emotions in Transatlantic Relations, 1850–1920, by Jessica C. E. Gienow-Hecht, Chicago, Chicago University Press, 2009, 352 pages, $49.00, ISBN 978-0-2262-9215-1 (paperba...
A Coarse Search Correlation Tracker for Image Registration

A high-speed compact digital correlation tracker which determines the frame-to-frame translational motion between two images is presented. By combining a similarity detection approach with the correlation coefficient in a parallel pipelined architecture, effective tracking rates comparable to conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques can be achieved. Examples of the tracker's performance using simulated data and image data acquired by an active infrared radar are given.
Age and race related changes in mammographic parenchymal patterns

The relationship between breast parenchymal patterns and age was examined in a nonselected, nonreferred group. The three major racial-ethnic subgroups represented have markedly different incidences of breast cancer, with Anglos (nonHispanic caucasians), Hispanics, and American Indians having higher to lower incidence rates of breast cancer, respectively. Mammograms were performed in 519 victims of nonhospital, nonnatural or unexplained deaths in New Mexico. The percentage of dense breast patterns (DY + P2) decreased with age for all groups. American Indian women showed a much earlier shift to a lower density parenchymal pattern than Anglo or Hispanic women. At older ages Indian women continued to have a slightly lower percentage of dense breast patterns than the other groups. The changes in breast parenchymal pattern with age and ethnic groups may reflect factors related to risk of breast cancer.
Brand names, ignorance, and quality guaranteeing premiums

Recent literature contains several theories of how self-enforcing agreements rely on repeat-purchase mechanisms to ensure product quality. Some have suggested the use of advertising as a signal of future actions in such games. This article extends these recent studies for the case where firms face temporary changes in cost or demand curves and offers an initial attempt at providing a statistical test of the Klein–Leffler model. It is found that the deviations in the advertising–sales ratio from the levels that can be explained by industry-specific characteristics are consistently contrary to what their model predicts. These results hold over a very wide range of depreciation rates for advertising and for the many individual industries examined. The results are only weakly affected when the presence of measurement error is explicitly recognized.
On non negative difference analogues of elliptic differential equations

Abstract Let L be the elliptic differential operator defined on region R by l[u(x,y)]≡ u xx +2b(x,y)u xy +c(x,y)u yy , b≢0 , where b(x, y) and c(x, y) are continuous and bounded on R. At any point (x, y) ϵ R, the ellipticity condition alone implies the existence of a nine point difference operator analogue L h of L which is of non-negative type. Moreover, L h is given constructively. For numerical considerations in the large, it is shown to be sufficient that the following inequality be valid: .
Microbiology and management of soft tissue and muscle infections

This review summarizes the microbiological aspects and management of soft tissue and muscle infections. The infections presented are: impetigo, folliculitis, furunculosis and carbuncles, cellulitis, erysipelas, infectious gangrene (includes necrotizing fasciitis or streptococcal gangrene, gas gangrene or clostridium myonecrosis, anaerobic cellulites, progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene, synergistic necrotizing cellulitis or perineal phlegmon, gangrenous balanitis, and gangrenous cellulitis in the immunocompromised patient), secondary bacterial infections complication skin lesions, diabetic and other chronic superficial skin ulcers and subcutaneous abscesses and myositis. These infections often occur in body sites or in those that have been compromised or injured by foreign body, trauma, ischemia, malignancy or surgery. In addition to Group A streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, the indigenous aerobic and anaerobic cutaneous and mucous membranes local microflora usually is responsible for polymicrobial infections. These infections may occasionally lead to serious potentially life-threatening local and systemic complications. The infections can progress rapidly and early recognition and proper medical and surgical management is the cornerstone of therapy.
Acoustic and elastic properties of calcareous sediments across a siliceous diagenetic front on the eastern U.S. continental slope

The Ocean Drilling Program drilled Hole 904A on the upper continental slope offshore New Jersey through 230 m of Eocene chalks and an opal-A/opal-CT diagenetic front. In addition to a suite of standard logging tools, a dipole sonic tool was deployed to determine the in situ shear sonic velocity and the elastic properties of these slow, highly porous, sediments. While porosity decreases by 20% across the diagenetic front, the compressional velocity and the density are observed to increase by 30%, the shear sonic velocity and the bulk modulus by about 60%, and the shear modulus by almost 300%. It is shown that shear and compressional velocities are both controlled by porosity and consolidation, and that existing models for the prediction of elastic properties and shear velocity from standard logs are still valid through the diagenetic front. The strong effect of diagenesis on rigidity makes the shear velocity log a highly sensitive indicator of pore shape and pore filling transformations.
Periodic trends in actinide phosphonates: divergence and convergence between thorium, uranium, neptunium, and plutonium systems.

The hydrothermal reactions of both PuO22+ and PuO2 with phosphonates results in the formation of Pu(IV) phosphonates. Pu(CH3PO3)2, Pu[CH2(PO3)2](H2O), and UO2Pu(H2O)2[CH2(PO3)(PO3H)]2 have been isolated from these reactions and structurally characterized. Pu(CH3PO3)2 contains six-coordinate Pu(IV) and adopts a structure closely related to that of α-Zr(HPO4)2. Pu[CH2(PO3)2](H2O) forms a novel three-dimensional network with seven-coordinate Pu(IV) and chelating/bridging [CH2(PO3)2]4− anions. The heterobimetallic U(VI)/Pu(IV) diphosphonate, UO2Pu(H2O)2[CH2(PO3)(PO3H)]2, also forms a three-dimensional network. To complete the An[CH2(PO3)2](H2O)n (An = Th, U, Np, Pu; n = 1, 2) and UO2An(H2O)2[CH2(PO3)(PO3H)]2 series, Th[CH2(PO3)2](H2O)2 and UO2Th(H2O)2[CH2(PO3)(PO3H)]2 have also been prepared. These compounds are isostructural with their Np(IV) analogues.
COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE SUPPORTING TEAM MANAGEMENT OF SECOND-GENERATION ARI

This paper describes efforts of the University of Toledo Accelerated Radical Innovation (ARI) research team in support of ARI projects by the application of a competitive intelligence (CI) framework as a central part of the second-generation (2G) ARI methodology. This paper briefly reviews the history of CI, focusing on extensions to Prescott's historical stages of CI. It then examines the techniques and activities and the practitioners and systems for engaging in CI in the context of open innovation and ARI. The paper wraps up by examining the phases and steps in conducting CI in the context of the entire 2G ARI methodology.
Bioinspired High-Potential Porphyrin Photoanodes

We report a selection of high-potential porphyrin photoanodes (HPPPs) for use in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs). The anodes consist of bispentafluorophenyl free-base and metallo-porphyrin sensitizers bearing anchoring groups for attachment to metal-oxide surfaces including TiO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles. The term "high potential" refers to the relatively large and positive value of the electrochemical reduction potential for the bispentafluorophenyl porphyrin radical cation (P + + e − → P) as compared with more conventional nonfluorinated analogues. Photoelectrochemical measurements demonstrate the sensitizers used in these HPPPs extend the absorption of the bare anode well into the visible region. Terahertz spectroscopic studies show the photo- excited dyes are capable of injecting electrons into the conduction band of an underlying metal-oxide with appropriate energetics. The reduction potentials of the resulting photogenerated porphyrin radical cations are relatively high (ranging from ∼1.35 to 1.65 V vs NHE depending on the sensitizer). This is demonstrated by the ability of dye-sensitized solar cells, containing our HPPPs, to use the Br3 − /Br − redox couple as a regenerative electron mediator with superior performance in comparison to results obtained using the lower-potential I3 − /I − relay. Computational modeling of the structures and equivalent circuits assists in a molecular-based understanding of these systems. Further, the oxidation power of the porphyrin radical cations generated in these bioinspired constructs is similar to that found in the reaction centers of their natural counterpart (photosystem II); thus, HPPPs are promising as components in artificial systems for photochemical water spitting applications.
Long-term results of atrial fibrillation ablation: The importance of all initial ablation failures undergoing a repeat ablation

Background Ablation is more successful for patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF1) than for those with persistent (AF2) or longstanding persistent AF (AF3). Many patients fail initial ablation and undergo repeat ablations. Little is known about repeat ablation procedure times, complications, and outcomes. Methods We evaluated Kaplan-Meier freedom from AF by AF type and sex for initial and repeat ablations and for final status of 843 patients undergoing 1122 ablations. We examined complications, procedure times and reasons why patients do not undergo repeat ablations. Cox multivariate analysis evaluated factors predicting ablation failure. Results Initial ablations were more successful in AF1 than AF2 or AF3 ( P P = .01 to P = .248) and major complications (1.66% vs 2.87%, P = .216) were similar. Women had different clinical characteristics than men, similar initial and repeat ablation success rates but lower overall success because of fewer repeat ablations (57.8% vs 68.2%, P = .047) due to patient choice ( P = .028). Patients with either successful initial ablations or undergoing repeat ablations had late AF recurrence rates of 0% to 1.5% a year. Age ( P = .012), larger left atria ( P = .002), female sex ( P = .001), AF2 ( P P = .003), and coronary disease ( P = .003) predicted failure. Conclusions Repeat ablations are more successful than initial ablations, have similar procedure times and complication rates, help determine final success rates, and may explain sex difference in success rates. For the best outcomes, patients should assume that a repeat ablation may be required to eliminate AF.
Jihadism in the Post-Soviet Era: The Case of Interaction of Theoretical and Practical Aspects of the Revolutionary Struggle

The revolutionaries—and jihadists could be regarded as revolutionaries of the sort—often had two aspect of their approach to the reality. First, it is vision of the doctrine, often rigid and dogmatic. The other side is practical, and here jihadists changed their approached to the reality.In the beginning of post-Soviet era jihadists were still influenced by the long traditions of Russian nationalism incorporated in Soviet ideology. According to these tradition, Russia plays the special role in the world history. In the view of jihadists, it was the territory of the Former USSR, which shall play the role of the leader of the global anti-Western revolt. Still, as time progress, Russia lost its centrality in the mind of jihadists, and it became just one of the places of the global struggle. Some of them think that the space of Russia shall be used for creation of sort of a new edition of Pakistan where ethnicities are downplayed, and Islam is the major way of identity.
The paper chromatographic detection of the free sulfur-containing amino acids and small peptides in whole blood and serum.

Abstract 1. 1. A paper chromatographic study of the free amino acids and peptides in whole blood and serum has been made. 2. 2. A procedure has been developed for the determination of the sulfhydryl-containing free amino acids and small peptides. This procedure involves the use of N -ethyl maleimide as an effective reagent in tying up the sulfhydryl groups to prevent oxidation. 3. 3. Cysteine has been found on a two-dimensional chromatogram of whole blood. 4. 4. The new sulfur-containing substances, neither possessing a sulfhydryl group, have been discovered in blood and serum. One is found in the same position on the chromatogram as taurine and ergothioneine, but does not have the characteristics of either of these. The other is found in the same position as glutamic acid.
The effect of nectar guides on pollinator preference: experimental studies with a montane herb.

Rare “albino” morphs of the montane larkspur Delphinium nelsonii differ from common blue-flowered morphs in overall flower color, and in the strength of a contrasting color pattern at the center of the flower that presumably guides pollinators to concealed nectar. Previous studies showed that bumblebees and hummingbirds discriminate against albinos when presented with mixtures of the 2 morphs, and that it takes these pollinators longer to fly between successive flowers on albino than on blue-flowered inflorescences. To explore the link between these observations, we measured pollinator preferences and flower-to-flower flight times (“handling times”) before and after painting flowers in 2 alternative ways that enhanced albino nectar guides. In all of 16 experimental replicates discrimination against albinos was reduced or eliminated after painting, and albino handling times declined toward values for blue-flowered inflorescences. This consistent result indicates that an inferior nectar guide increases the energetic cost of foraging at albinos. Increased cost in turn explains discrimination, under the reasonable assumption that hummingbirds and bumblebees are sensitive to foraging economics.
The subunit structures of soluble and chromatin-bound RNA polymerase II from soybean

Abstract DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II is present in two forms, IIa and IIb, in germinating soybean. Form IIa is the dominant form of the enzyme in ungerminated embryos and appears to be a soluble enzyme. Form IIb increases in amount as germination progresses and is tightly bound to the chromatin template. The subunit structures of soybean RNA polymerases IIa and IIb are identical except for the molecular weights of their largest subunits which are 200,000 daltons and 170,000 daltons for IIa and IIb, respectively. The enzymes have seven common subunits: 142,000, 42,000, 26,000, 20,000, 16,000, 15,000, and 14,000 daltons.
Electrocatalysis of Guanine Electron Transfer: New Insights from Submillimeter Carbon Electrodes

Electrocatalytic oxidation of guanines in DNA by Ru(bpy)33+/2+ (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine) has been detected at 86 μm-radius carbon electrodes. The electrocatalysis, which is apparent as a current enhancement of the Ru(bpy)33+/2+ couple in the presence of DNA, is dependent on the ionic strength. The ionic strength effect is due not to a change in the mediator−electrode surface interaction, but rather to a change in the mediator−DNA interaction. The small size of the electrode allows examination of the contribution of the time-independent current, which is a function of the diffusion coefficients of the electroactive species, to the total current generated by guanine oxidation by Ru(bpy)33+. The second-order rate constants from digital simulation of the experimental cyclic voltammograms collected at low ionic strength are (in terms of moles of guanine) (5.6 ± 1.4) × 104 M-1 s-1 at 5 mV/s and (8.8 ± 2.2) × 104 M-1 s-1 at 250 mV/s. At high ionic strength, the second-order rate constants for voltammograms collect...
Neutron total cross section of 233U

Abstract The neutron total cross section of 233 U has been measured in the neutron energy range between 3·4 keV and 1611 keV.
Large-scale isolation of plasmid DNA and purification of λ phage DNA using hydroxylapatite chromatography

Abstract A rapid and relatively simple procedure for purifying large quantities of plasmid DNA is described. Plasmid thus purified contains no detectable chromosomal DNA and little RNA or protein. The procedure combines alkaline denaturation and hydroxylapatite chromatography and utilizes an improved method of separating DNA from RNA. It was observed that the phosphate concentrations at which previously bound DNA as well as RNA elute from hydroxylapatite changed markedly as a function of urea concentration. In the presence of urea concentrations higher than 4 m , the ranges of phosphate concentration over which DNA and RNA elute show no overlap. This permits efficient washing of hydroxylapatite-bound DNA under conditions which should remove all bound RNA. λ Phage DNA is also easily eluted from hydroxylapatite under the conditions used.
A neurobehavioral model for rapid actions of corticosterone on sensorimotor integration

Stress-induced corticosterone (CORT) secretion that causes a rapid blockade of courtship clasping by male roughskin newts (Taricha granulosa) is mediated by a specific neuronal membrane receptor for CORT. Amplectic clasping, which can be triggered by pressure on the ventral body surface and cloaca, is controlled by the influence of medullary neurons on the spinal cord. Using clasping as a simple neurobehavioral model, we have focused our analysis of CORT effects on clasping by examining the steroid's effects on neurophysiological properties of medullary neurons, especially medullary reticulospinal neurons, the principal output cells from the brain to the spinal cord. Systemic CORT caused, within 3 min of injection, diverse reductions in reticulospinal neuron excitability. Another rapid CORT effect on medullary neurons was to depress responsiveness to pressure on the cloaca. Experiments with chronically implanted, freely moving newts revealed that the rapid CORT effects are quite specific to neural processes related to clasping. CORT injections rapidly blocked clasping in response to cloacal stimuli and concurrently depressed neuronal responses to cloacal pressure and firing associated with clasping. Activity of reticulospinal neurons was often associated with nonclasping movements and this activity was rarely altered by CORT. Thus, CORT mainly affected aspects of neuronal function related to clasping. In other neurophysiological experiments, we found that the neuropeptides vasotocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone modified the neural effects of CORT. Prior exposure of medullary neurons to either of these neuropeptides caused systemic CORT administration to rapidly potentiate neuronal responses to cloacal stimuli, indicating that the direction and potency of CORT effects depend critically on the prevailing neuroendocrine state of the brain.
Role of TIPS in portal hypertension: variceal bleeding and ascites

The transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has become established as a valuable therapy for the management of the complications of portal hypertension. Despite promising results, it is still a relatively new technique under active investigation. The technical success rate for TIPS placement, that is, the frequency with which a functioning shunt can be placed without acute complications, is greater than 95% in the hands of experienced operators. However, some of the initial enthusiasm surrounding the introduction of TIPS has been appropriately tempered by awareness of its longer-term limitation of shunt insufficiency and complications of hepatic encephalopathy and liver failure. The indications for TIPS represent a work in progress and have been formulated through expert consensus at several conferences, including a workshop sponsored by the National Digestive Diseases Advisory Board in 1994. This review focuses on the principles underlying the use of TIPS and the two major indications for its placement: variceal bleeding and refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
B CELL ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDREN WITH AIDS

B cell abnormalities have recently been described in adults with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Immunological profiles were performed in 19 children with AIDS or its prodromal stage. Opportunistic infections in AIDS patients included disseminated cytomegalovirus, invasive candidiasis, pneumocystis carinii, pneumonia and systemic mycobacterium avium intracellulare. Hypergammaglobulinemia was documented in 6 of 7 children with AIDS and in all prodromes specific antibody responses to tetanus immunization were extremely low or undetectable in 5 of 6 prodromes and in 4 of 5 children with opportunistic infections. Mitogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin were normal in 6 of 7 AIDS infants and 11 of 12 prodromes. Pokeweed mitogen responses were depressed or absent in all patients with prodrome and in 6 of 7 with AIDS. The combination of hypergammaglobulinemia, poor specific antibody responses and depressed pokeweed mitogen responses suggest that B cell abnormalities are found in childhood AIDS, and are similar to those found in adults with the syndrome. Supported by NIH Grant Number: 1 U01 AI 20671-01
Worker Rights and Health Protection for Prostitutes: A Comparison of The Netherlands, Germany, and Nevada

I analyze prostitution policy changes regarding worker rights and health protection for legal prostitutes in The Netherlands, Germany, and Nevada to determine whether the changes benefit the prostitutes. I critically analyze and compare laws, government policy briefs, advocacy studies, books, articles, and ethnographic studies. Problems were revealed in recognizing prostitution as legitimate work and in realization of health protection. Health and safety concerns exist in The Netherlands and Germany where policy does not mandate health requirements and condom usage. Nevada law requires safety precautions, health testing, and condom usage, resulting in no legal prostitutes testing positive for HIV.
Signal Processing For Time Delay And Integrating Charge-Coupled Device (TDI-CCD) In The Panoramic Scan Mode

A panoramic scanner using Time Delay and Integrating Charge Coupled Device (TDI-CCD) technology has been developed for the U.S. Navy. Real-time signal processing techniques in conjunction with a micro-computer are utilized to accomplish the following: synchronization of ID! charge transport with image scan velocity, electronic on-chip exposure control, signal-to-noise improvement through pixel grouping, removal of dark signature, correction of photo response non-uniformity scene dependent background subtraction and automatic gain control to compensate for scene illumination variations. The system is designed to operate from starlight to daylight scene illumination. Daylight haze penetration is improved by means of low contrast image enhancement which can be achieved through the background subtraction and automatic gain control features. Details of the signal processing and some preliminary imagery are presented.
Experimental application of partitioned model-based control to pH neutralization

A novel model-based nonlinear control strategy is demonstrated using an experimental pH neutralization process. The control strategy involves a partitioned model structure that consists of a linear ARX model and a nonlinear neural network model, in the context of internal model control (IMC). When integrated into the internal model control scheme, the resulting controller is shown to have favorable practical implications as well as superior performance when compared with a linear IMC controller.
(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of density-separated human red cells. Effects of calcium and a soluble cytoplasmic activator (calmodulin).

The effect of calcium and a soluble cytoplasmic activator on (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of density-separated human red cells was investigated. At all calcium concentrations tested, dense (old) lysed cells and their isolated membranes displayed lower activities as compared to the light (young) cells and their membranes. Isolated membranes from all density red cell fractions showed two distinct (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activities; one at low calcium and another at moderate calcium concentrations. At high calcium concentration, (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of isolated membranes was low in all cell fractions. In contrast to the isolated membranes, lysed cells from all density fractions had a maximum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity only at a low concentration of calcium, while moderate and high calcium concentrations produced low activity. Upon isolation of membranes, a substantial loss of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity took place from all density cell fractions. Upon membrane isolation, the relative loss of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity at low Ca2+ concentration was greater in older cells. The extent of stimulation of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by the activator at low calcium concentration was 3–4-fold greater in older cell membranes than in the young ones. These data suggest that the lower (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in old cells could be accounted for by a selective loss of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity at low Ca2+ concentration presumably due to reduced affinity of old cell membranes to activator protein.
Dopamine-containing ventral tegmental area neurons in freely moving cats: activity during the sleep-waking cycle and effects of stress.

Abstract The activity of dopamine-containing ventral tegmental area (VTA) units was recorded by means of movable 32- and 64-μm-diameter insulated Nichrome wires in freely moving cats. The VTA units displayed a slow, somewhat irregular activity during quiet waking (mean 3.63 ± 0.41 spikes/s) and showed no significant change in activity during slow-wave sleep or REM sleep. Although VTA unit activity was somewhat higher and more erratic during active waking, there was no relationship between unit discharge and phasic movement. These neurons were inhibited (−87%) by small doses of apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and excited (+43%) by small doses of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). The stress of a conditioned emotional reaction (CER) paradigm resulted in a significant increase in the discharge rate of VTA neurons (+39%), compared with the quiet-waking baseline. The CER paradigm increased plasma glucocorticoids by 74%. Neurochemical studies revealed that the CER paradigm resulted in a significant decrease of dopamine in the limbic forebrain (−31%), whereas both homovanillic acid (+47%) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (+43%) concentrations were increased. No significant changes in dopamine metabolism were observed in the striatum under the CER situation. These data have implications in relation to the role of stress and dopamine in mediating certain psychiatric disorders.
Psychogenic/idiopathic pain syndromes

The concept of psychogenic pain is discussed and reviewed from multiple theoretical perspectives. The validity of psychogenic pain disorder as a clinical diagnosis is also examined, as are regional pain syndromes such as psychogenic abdominal, facial, pelvic, chest, and headache pain. The term "psychogenic pain" is considered to have limited clinical or diagnostic usefulness and the preferred term "idiopathic pain syndrome" used in DSM-III-R is advocated.
Optimizing the size of the sequence profiles to increase the accuracy of protein sequence alignments generated by profile–profile algorithms

Motivation: Profile-based protein homology detection algorithms are valuable tools in genome annotation and protein classification. By utilizing information present in the sequences of homologous proteins, profile-based methods are often able to detect extremely weak relationships between protein sequences, as evidenced by the large-scale benchmarking experiments such as CASP and LiveBench. Results: We study the relationship between the sensitivity of a profile–profile method and the size of the sequence profile, which is defined as the average number of different residue types observed at the profile's positions. We also demonstrate that improvements in the sensitivity of a profile–profile method can be made by incorporating a profile-dependent scoring scheme, such as position-specific background frequencies. The techniques presented in this article are implemented in an alignment algorithm UNI-FOLD. When tested against other well-established methods for fold recognition, UNI-FOLD shows increased sensitivity and specificity in detecting remote relationships between protein sequences. Availability: UNI-FOLD web server can be accessed at http://blackhawk.cs.uni.edu Contact: poleksic@cs.uni.edu
Facilitating blind people to independently format their documents

There is evidence that blind people's documents are treated dismissively when they do not match "expected" standards of document presentation. Many blind persons feel it is important to format their document and rely on sighted people to help them format their documents. Still, research on word processors for blind people generally focuses on supporting tasks associated with writing documents rather than document formatting. My thesis research aims to help blind people be more independent in producing word-processed documents that meet the presentation standards expected by sighted readers. This will be carried out over the next four years, supervised by Prof. Sri Kurniawan and in collaboration with sighted and blind persons, as an iterative design and evaluation of a Microsoft Office add-in whose functionalities will be informed by what sighted people expect in well-formatted documents and the problems blind persons have with independent formatting using current tools.
Evolution of clinical trial endpoints in chronic myeloid leukemia: Efficacious therapies require sensitive monitoring techniques

The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has brought treatment response assessment to the molecular level. Clinical trials endpoints for newer TKIs - such as major and complete molecular response - reflect the trend toward more-sensitive disease detection and deeper responses. Practice guidelines now formally define levels of response and link response benchmarks to outcome and treatment guidance. Efforts are ongoing to harmonize the methodology and terminology used to characterize molecular response. This review discusses the evolution of CML clinical trial endpoints in response to current therapeutic and monitoring modalities, and the implications of achieving molecular endpoints.