cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Antibiofilm Technology for Contact Lens Solutions

Purpose: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including sodium salicylate, inhibit extracellular bacterial biofilm production. The authors studied the effect of the addition of sodium salicylate on bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on contact lenses and cases and commonly used medical polymers. Methods: The study was done in vitro with bacterial adherence and biofilm measured on lenses and cases that were exposed to saline contaminated with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with and without 1 and 3 mm sodium salicylate. Bacterial adherence to contact lenses was quantitated by a vortex assay and by scanning electron microscopy. Biofilm formation on contact lens cases and other polymers was measured by an optical density assay and a radiolabeling assay. Results: Inhibition of biofilm formation was demonstrated on plastic contact lens cases in a dose-related manner with 1 and 3 mm sodium salicylate. A dose-related decrease in bacterial adherence also was noted. Assays with contact lenses also demonstrated less adherence in the presence of sodium salicylate. Electron micrographs of the contact lens showed less biofilm, most noticeable with 3 mm salicylate. Other studies demonstrated decreased adherence of S. epidermidis to polyethylene and polystyrene. Sodium salicylate also decreased biofilm on plastic tissue culture wells, but sorbic acid paradoxically increased deposition. Conclusion: The authors found that the addition of low-dose sodium salicylate to saline decreased the adherence of S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa to contact lenses and lens cases. Biofilm production also was decreased on the lens cases and on medical polymers used to make plastic cases. These studies suggest that sodium salicylate deserves additional study to determine its use in contact lens solutions.
despotic – a new software library to Derive the Energetics and SPectra of Optically Thick Interstellar Clouds

I describe DESPOTIC, a code to Derive the Energetics and SPectra of Optically Thick Interstellar Clouds. DESPOTIC represents such clouds using a one-zone model, and can calculate line luminosities, line cooling rates, and in restricted cases line profiles using an escape probability formalism. It also includes approximate treatments of the dominant heating, cooling, and chemical processes for the cold interstellar medium, including cosmic ray and X-ray heating, grain photoelectric heating, heating of the dust by infrared and ultraviolet radiation, thermal cooling of the dust, collisional energy exchange between dust and gas, and a simple network for carbon chemistry. Based on these heating, cooling, and chemical rates, DESPOTIC can calculate clouds' equilibrium gas and dust temperatures, equilibrium carbon chemical state, and time-dependent thermal and chemical evolution. The software is intended to allow rapid and interactive calculation of clouds' characteristic temperatures, identification of their dominant heating and cooling mechanisms, and prediction of their observable spectra across a wide range of interstellar environments. DESPOTIC is implemented as a Python package, and is released under the GNU General Public License.
Validating measures of pediatric health status, functional status, and health-related quality of life: key methodological challenges and strategies.

Objective.—To describe key methodological challenges in the validation of measures of pediatric health status, functional status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and ways to address them. Methods.—Validation strategies of measures of pediatric health status, functional status, and HRQOL were reviewed. Results.—Three key challenges were identified: 1) clarifying and testing measurement models; 2) measuring responsiveness to clinically meaningful change; and 3) considering data from multiple respondents. Conclusions.—Research strategies to enhance validity of measures include specifying intended validity and measurement models, documenting sensitivity of measures to clinically meaningful change, and considering data from multiple informants.
Loss of the Lkb1 tumour suppressor provokes intestinal polyposis but resistance to transformation

Germline mutations in LKB1 (also known as STK11) are associated with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a disorder with predisposition to gastrointestinal polyposis and cancer1. PJS polyps are unusual neoplasms characterized by marked epithelial and stromal overgrowth but have limited malignant potential2. Here we show that Lkb1+/- mice develop intestinal polyps identical to those seen in individuals affected with PJS. Consistent with this in vivo tumour suppressor function, Lkb1 deficiency prevents culture-induced senescence without loss of Ink4a/Arf or p53. Despite compromised mortality, Lkb1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts show resistance to transformation by activated Ha-Ras either alone or with immortalizing oncogenes. This phenotype is in agreement with the paucity of mutations in Ras seen in PJS polyps3,4 and suggests that loss of Lkb1 function as an early neoplastic event renders cells resistant to subsequent oncogene-induced transformation. In addition, the Lkb1 transcriptome shows modulation of factors linked to angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodelling, cell adhesion and inhibition of Ras transformation. Together, our data rationalize several features of PJS polyposis—notably its peculiar histopathological presentation and limited malignant potential—and place Lkb1 in a distinct class of tumour suppressors.
Determinants of endocytic membrane geometry, stability, and scission

During endocytic vesicle formation, distinct subdomains along the membrane invagination are specified by different proteins, which bend the membrane and drive scission. Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs (BAR) and Fer-CIP4 homology-BAR (F-BAR) proteins can induce membrane curvature and have been suggested to facilitate membrane invagination and scission. Two F-BAR proteins, Syp1 and Bzz1, are found at budding yeast endocytic sites. Syp1 arrives early but departs from the endocytic site before formation of deep membrane invaginations and scission. Using genetic, spatiotemporal, and ultrastructural analyses, we demonstrate that Bzz1, the heterodimeric BAR domain protein Rvs161/167, actin polymerization, and the lipid phosphatase Sjl2 cooperate, each through a distinct mechanism, to induce membrane scission in yeast. Additionally, actin assembly and Rvs161/167 cooperate to drive formation of deep invaginations. Finally, we find that Bzz1, acting at the invagination base, stabilizes endocytic sites and functions with Rvs161/167, localized along the tubule, to achieve proper endocytic membrane geometry necessary for efficient scission. Together, our results reveal that dynamic interplay between a lipid phosphatase, actin assembly, and membrane-sculpting proteins leads to proper membrane shaping, tubule stabilization, and scission.
The Complexity of Brownian Processes Run with Nonlinear Clocks

Anomalous diffusion occurs in many branches of physics. Examples include diffusion in confined nanofilms, Richardson turbulence in the atmosphere, near-surface ocean currents, fracture flow in porous formations and vortex arrays in rotating flows. Classically, anomalous diffusion is characterized by a power law exponent related to the mean-square displacement of a particle or squared separation of pairs of particles: 〈|X(t)|2〉 ~tγ. The exponent γ is often thought to relate to the fractal dimension of the underlying process. If γ > 1 the flow is super-diffusive, if it equals 1 it is classical, otherwise it is sub-diffusive. In this work we illustrate how time-changed Brownian position processes can be employed to model sub-, super-, and classical diffusion, while time-changed Brownian velocity processes can be used to model super-diffusion alone. Specific examples presented include transport in turbulent fluids and renormalized transport in porous media. Intuitively, a time-changed Brownian process is a classical Brownian motion running with a nonlinear clock (Bm-nlc). The major difference between classical and Bm-nlc is that the time-changed case has nonstationary increments. An important novelty of this approach is that, unlike fractional Brownian motion, the fractal dimension of the process (space filling character) driving anomalous diffusion as modeled by Bm-nlc positions or velocities does not change with the scaling exponent, γ.
A rat liver protein with potential thrombin activity: properties and partial purification.

Abstract A protein which generates thrombin activity when treated with the venom from Echis carinatus has been shown to build up in the liver microsomes of vitamin K-deficient or anticoagulant-treated rats. The amount of this protein decreases rapidly when vitamin K is given to these animals. The protein has been partially purified. It differs from prothrombin in its ability to adsorb to BaSO4, its electrophoretic mobility, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. It does, however, react with antibody prepared against rat prothrombin, and it apparently contains the thrombin portion of prothrombin. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that this protein represents a liver precursor protein which is converted to plasma prothrombin in a vitamin K-dependent step.
Requirements for effective use of graphical methods in interactive forecasting

The construction of forecasts using interactive data analysis systems is greatly aided by the availability of graphical procedures. Data exploration, model identification and estimation, and interpretation of final forecasts are made considerably easier by the visual relay of information. This article discusses some recent developments in time series graphics designed to assist in the forecasting process. A discussion of requirerients for effective use of graphics in interactive forecasting is included as illustrated through an application of the Box-Jenkins methodology. Illustrations are included from the STATGRAPHICS system, a prototype implementation in APL.
EXPERIENCE WITH A STATIC MAGNETOSTRICTIVE READOUT SYSTEM FOR WIRE CHAMBERS.

Abstract Bespalova et al. have described a scheme for wire chamber readout which makes use of the permanent magnetization of the magnetostrictive line for temporary storage of coordinate information. The advantage of this scheme is that it can significantly reduce the cost of the electronics needed to read out a system with many chambers. We have adopted this technique to read out spark coordinates in an array of spark chambers to detect γ showers. This array has been used successfully in an experiment in which bsim ; 10 7 events were recorded. We discuss our experience with this type of readout and its advantages and disadvantages relative to the more common “prompt” readout system.
The Effect of Brief Exercise on Circulating CD34 + Stem Cells in Early and Late Pubertal Boys

We tested the hypothesis that exercise could stimulate CD34+ peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSC) in children. Fourteen early pubertal boys (EP, age 10.3 +/- 0.3 y) and 13 late pubertal boys (LP, age 16.5 +/- 0.4 y) performed 20 min of moderate-to-vigorous cycle ergometer exercise. Blood was drawn before and after exercise. Cells were stained for surface CD34+. Plasma granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT-3), and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) were measured using ELISA. Exercise substantially increased PBSC (in EP from 112 +/- 21 to 182 +/- 30 cells/microL, p=0.0007; in LP from 63 +/- 8 to 152 +/- 21, p=0.0008), and to a smaller extent FLT-3 (in EP from 98 +/- 5 to 110 +/- 6 pg/mL, p<0.0001; in LP from 73 +/- 6 to 92 +/- 6, p<0.0001) and G-CSF (in EP from 26 +/- 4 to 29 +/- 4 pg/mL, p<0.0001; in LP from 14 +/- 1 to 18 +/- 1, p<0.0001). Baseline levels of PBSC, FLT-3, and G-CSF were significantly higher in EP. Exercise increased SDF-1 alpha only in LP, and the FLT-3 increase was greater in LP than EP. Brief exercise affects PBSC and PBSC mediators in children.
Anderson-Cheeger Limits of Smooth Riemannian Manifolds, and other Gromov-Hausdorff Limits

We establish further regularity of the Cα and H1,p limits of smooth, n-dimensional Riemannian manifolds with a lower bound on Ricci tensor and injectivity radius, and an upper bound on volume, first considered in [1]. We use this extra regularity to show that such a limit is a nonbranching geodesic space, as defined in [10], and to construct a variant of a geodesic flow for such a limit. We contrast the behavior of some slightly more singular limits.
Medicaid fraud detection using data broker services

In this paper, we propose an integrated architecture to detect Medicaid fraud at the time of application approval process. This architecture takes the advantages of several public databases available through different government or private organizations. These databases are used to verify applicant's information and discover any undeclared assets. We also propose a customizable weighting scheme to determine eligibility for Medicaid services.
Desire for control and interpersonal interaction style

Abstract Three studies were conducted to examine the relationship between individual differences in desire for control and interpersonal interaction style. In Experiment 1, high desire for control subjects disclosed less intimate information about themselves in a laboratory task than lows. An examination of daily reports in Experiment 2 found that low desire for control subjects initiated more of their daily conversations and enjoyed those interactions more than did highs. However, the high desire for control subjects ended more conversations than did lows. In Experiment 3, “get-acquainted” conversations between two high desire for control subjects were characterized by an increase in interruptions and more episodes of simultaneous talking than when one high and one low desire for control subject interacted. Contrary to expectation, a large number of interruptions and simultaneous talking episodes also characterized the conversations between two low desire for control subjects. A picture of a high desire for control interpersonal style emerges from this research—one of exercising restraint in interacting with others as well as utilizing several control-maintaining strategies.
Reliability and Validity of a Photo Rating Measure of Alopecia

Numerous studies of trichotillomania (TTM) incorporate measures of the extent of alopecia (hair loss) resulting from hair pulling. This study used data from a clinical trial of stepped care for TTM to provide further evidence pertaining to a 1–7 alopecia rating scale (Tolin et al. 2002). Ratings were based on photographs of participants’ (N = 60) most severely affected pulling site. Alopecia rating proved highly acceptable (88 % completed the assessment), stable (10-week retest reliability r for wait-listed participants = 0.63), and convergently valid (r = 0.51 with an interviewer’s rating of hair loss based on live observation). Alopecia ratings were not significantly related to self-rated social impairment resulting from TTM, nor with total symptom severity. Hair regrowth rate varies by sex, age, and pulling site, so alopecia rating cannot serve as a direct marker of TTM treatment progress. Nonetheless, it appears to be a reliable and valid measure of a consequence of pulling that is of great concern to people with TTM. Future research should examine its potential treatment utility as a means of giving patients feedback on the side effects of progress they are making in therapy.
Pulmonary surfactant: distribution of lipids, proteins and surface activity in ultracentrifugation of rabbit pulmonary washing and derived fractions.

Lavage from normal adult rabbit lung and two known derived fractions, Fraction T and Fraction S, were subjected to either differential ultracentrifugation in 1.090 g/ml KBr or sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation; the surface activity of the lipid extract of selected fractions was measured. In differential ultracentrifugation, the three starting materials yielded a pellicle containing > 85% of the phospholipid with 80% of the total sIgA (protein T) and up to 60% of the total phospholipid, whereas all the albumin and IgG were found at very low densities, 1.010 and 1.025, respectively; Fraction T, having nearly equal weights of one signle protein, sIgA, and phospholipid, produced two contiguous bands at densities 1.059 and 1.078, totalling >85% of its phospholipid and 80% of the phospholipid and <20% of the protein of pulmonary washing, Fraction S yielded two small bands at densities 1.028 and 1.044 and a major band at d=1.059. In surface activity measurements: when the total lipid extract of the bands from the sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation was spread as a film, in spite of similarly high dipalmitoyl lecithin contents (about 70% palmitoyl lecithin contents (about 70% palmitoyl residue), the lipid of the band of Fraction T and that of the high density band of Fraction S were very active (γmin=0); whereas the lipid of the band of pulmonary washing and that of the lowest density band of Fraction S were not active,γmin being 18 dyne/cm and 21 dyne/cm, respectively. This wokk brings forth three major conclusions. First, under conditions which are used to isolate serum lipoproteins, no lipoprotein was obtained from either of the three surfactant fractions and most of the lipid was found virtually free of protein. Second, the isopicnic equilibrium of a given ultracentrifugation fraction varied with the molecular structure of its constituents and could not be accounted for by the latter’s average densities; instead, major roles must be player by particle geometry and their water contents. Third, although the various lipid samples contained the same quantities of palmitoyl residues (70%), the surface activities varied with the physical state of the lipid, method of assay, and some other undefined factors.
A close inspection of Ag(I) coordination to molecular baskets. A study of solvation and guest encapsulation in solution and the solid state

Abstract Four molecular baskets 1–4, each comprising a modular bowl-shaped platform and a set of distinctive aromatic gates, were synthesized. The gates were made to incorporate a nitrogen heteroatom at different positions, as in 2–4, or without a coordinating nitrogen, as in 1 (Fig. 1). For polydentate 3 and 4, the location of the nitrogen was revealed to have an effect on directing the basket's coordination to Ag(I) cation, and subsequent folding to enclose space. The folded geometries were shown to encompass a helical, Ag(I):3, or C3v/C2v symmetrical, Ag(I):4, dynamic arrangement of the gates (from density functional theory). For 2 and 1, however, the presence of Ag(I) caused the sole formation of oligomers and the absence of coordinating interactions, respectively. Variable temperature (VT) 1H and 19F NMR measurements of Ag(I):3 did not provide direct evidence for the solvation of its inner space and the encapsulation of the BF4− counterion. Moreover, CH3CN or CH3NC substrates were not found inside of Ag(I):3. The finding is in contrast with the behavior of Cu(I):3, which is known to encapsulate these guests. The intriguing guest selectivity was accounted for by small structural and electronic differences of Ag(I)/Cu(I) folded baskets. The X-ray solid-state structural studies of 2, 3, and 4 revealed the basket's capacity to fill its inner space with small compounds. Thus, 3 was found with an ordered molecule of chloroform, while 4 contained molecules of CH3OH and H2O. The basket selectivity for enclosing and positioning guests, in the solid state, was deduced to be guided by their size and weak host–guest and guest–guest noncovalent interactions.
Minimal replication cost for availability

Today, the utility of many replicated Internet services is limited by availability rather than raw performance. To better understand the effects of replica placement on availability, we propose the problem of minimal replication cost for availability. Let replication cost be the cost associated with replica deployment, dynamic replica creation and teardown at n candidate locations. Given client access patterns, replica failure patterns, network partition patterns, a required consistency level and a target level of availability, the minimal replication cost is the lower bound on a system's replication cost. Solving this problem also answers the dual question of optimal availability given a constraint on replication cost.We design the first algorithm we are aware of to solve the problem, through reduction to integer linear programming and enumeration of pruned serialization orders. Using practical faultloads and workloads, we demonstrate that the exponential complexity of our algorithm is tractable for practical problems with hundreds of candidate locations. The lower bound computed by our algorithm is tight, but the tightness can be sacrificed by a proposed optimization for large problems. We also show that with low replica creation and teardown costs, the bound is close to tight in practical problems even with the optimization.
Antenna-coupled transition-edge hot-electron microbolometer

Abstract We are developing a new type of antenna-coupled superconducting bolometric detector for millimeterwave and sub-millimeterwave astrophysics. In this design, a planar antenna couples radiation from free space to the electron system in a small absorber. The absorber is in thermal contact with a small Transition-Edge Sensor (TES), which serves as a thermistor. At sub-Kelvin temperatures the thermal isolation between the electrons and the lattice in metals causes the incoming radiation to heat the normal electrons in the absorber and the TES without the need for micromachined thermal isolation structures. We call these detectors Transition-edge Hot-electron Microbolometers and are optimizing them for observations of the cosmic microwave background. The small volume (∼5 μm 3 ) of the absorber and TES produces a short thermal time constant that facilitates rapid scanning of the sky. These devices can be coupled to arrays of dual-polarization antennas in large format focal planes and other optical systems. We have constructed a scale model of a candidate planar antenna and tested a Mo/Cu proximity effect TES and Cu absorbers.
The spectrum of the manganese-scandium star ϕ Herculis

Among manganese stars, ϕ Herculis is of great interest because of the unusual strength of the scandium lines. We present intensity measurements for numerous lines ofCii, Mgi, Mgii, Siii, Caii, Scii, Tiii, Crii, Mni, Mnii, Fei, Feii, Coii, Srii,Yii, and Zrii.
Diode Pumped Holmium, Thulium And Erbium Lasers Between 2 And 3μm Operating CW At Room Temperature

Diode pumped CW lasers operating between 2 and 3μm in the heavy rare earth activator ions are reviewed. In Ho,Tm:YAG we demonstrated high efficiency using Tm as the sensitizer ion which absorbed the pump radiation. This is followed by a cross relaxation process which allows nearly two excited Tm ions to be produced from one absorbed photon. There is rapid energy migration among the Tm ions followed by energy transfer to the Ho ion. The 2μm laser action is to a level 460 cm-1 above the ground state. In Tm,Ho:YLF we demonstrated CW cascade laser emission at 2.31 and 2.08μm. Above threshold for both transitions, two infrared photons are produced for each absorbed pump photon. The theoretical slope efficiency of this system is 72.3% for pumping at 0.791μm. In Er:YLF CW laser emission at 2.8μm with a 10% slope efficiency was demonstrated. The laser transition is normally self-terminating, but an upconversion process which depopulates the lower laser level and populates the upper laser level allows this transition to operate in a CW mode.
Use of virus functions to provide a virtual APL interpreter under user control

By inserting a simple statement at the beginning of an APL function, it is possible to cause the execution of a reconstructed version of the function, rather than of its original statements. This reconstruction can simulate the effect of an arbitrary change in the APL language; thus, the APL programmer can have available a private, “virtual” version of the interpreterWe show some general- and special - purpose functions which can be used for this purpose, and give elementary examples of their application.
Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS): diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in the neonate

Abstract Treatment paradigms for neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum require accurate knowledge of the tricuspid valve size and structure, degree of right ventricular hypoplasia and coronary artery anatomy. Complete hemodynamic and angiographic studies are essential even when the diagnosis is established by echocardiography. Associated coronary artery stenosis and interruption can only be demonstrated by coronary angiography. Transcatheter perforation of the atretic pulmonary valve followed by balloon dilatation can establish right ventricular–pulmonary artery circulation followed by growth of the right ventricle in selected cases.
The parenting experiences of homeless adolescent mothers and mothers-to-be: Perspectives from a shelter sample

Abstract This qualitative study explores the parenting experiences of 27 homeless youth who were pregnant, parenting or both. All were current or former residents of a shelter for adolescent mothers and mothers-to-be. Data from semi-structured interviews were used to examine their ideas about what it means to be a parent, the major challenges they face and how becoming a parent has changed their lives. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
A robot ontology for urban search and rescue

The goal of this Robot Ontology effort is to develop and begin to populate a neutral knowledge representation (the data structures) capturing relevant information about robots and their capabilities to assist in the development, testing, and certification of effective technologies for sensing, mobility, navigation, planning, integration and operator interaction within search and rescue robot systems. This knowledge representation must be flexible enough to adapt as the robot requirements evolve. As such, we have chosen to use an ontological approach to representing these requirements. This paper describes the Robot Ontology, how it fits in to the overall Urban Search and Rescue effort, how we will be proceeding in the future.
The Relationship of Dietary Levels of Phosphorus to the Production of Soft-Shelled and Shell-Less Eggs

Abstract The relationship among available levels of dietary phosphorus (.2, .3, and .4%) and the production of soft-shelled (SS) and shell-less (SL) eggs was investigated in 864 White Leghorns of a commercial strain. An 11-month performance profile included hen-day production of hard-shelled (HS), SS, and SL eggs, feed consumption, livability, egg weight, and specific gravity. Percent HS egg production and feed consumption were significantly lower and egg specific gravity was significantly higher among hens consuming the .2% available phosphorus diet when compared to hens consuming the .3 or .4% available phosphorus diets. The level of available phosphorus in this study did not affect significantly hen livability or the production of SS or SL eggs. Five hours (HS egg in uterus) or 15 hr (SL egg in uterus) prior to expected oviposition time, 1 ml of a 200 mM phosphate solution was injected into the brachial vein (i.v.) or the uterus (i.u.) of hens observed to lay consistently HS eggs. Injections i.v. did not alter expected oviposition time when either a HS or SL egg was in the uterus, but i.u. injections induced premature oviposition when a SL egg was in utero. The concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and total calcium in the plasma and uterine fluid of hens that laid a high or low incidence of SS + SL eggs were determined 5 hr after the egg entered the uterus. Uterine fluid inorganic phosphorus and total calcium and plasma inorganic phosphorus levels of the high and low incidence groups were not significantly different. However, plasma total calcium was significantly higher among high incidence SS + SL layers when compared to low incidence SS + SL layers at this time during the ovulatory cycle.
Novel peptide for attenuation of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via modulation of nitric oxide release and phosphodiesterase -5 activity

Abstract Pulmonary vascular endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS)-derived NO is the major stimulant of cyclic guanosine 5′-monophosphate (cGMP) production and NO/cGMP-dependent vasorelaxation in the pulmonary circulation. We recently synthesized multiple peptides and reported that an eleven amino acid (SSWRRKRKESS) peptide (P1) but not scrambled P1 stimulated the catalytic activity but not expression of eNOS and causes NO/cGMP-dependent sustained vasorelaxation in isolated pulmonary artery (PA) segments and in lung perfusion models. Since cGMP levels can also be elevated by inhibition of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), this study was designed to test the hypothesis that P1-mediated vesorelaxation is due to its unique dual action as NO-releasing PDE-5 inhibitor in the pulmonary circulation. Treatment of porcine PA endothelial cells (PAEC) with P1 caused time-dependent increase in intracellular NO release and inhibition of the catalytic activity of cGMP-specific PDE-5 but not PDE-5 protein expression leading to increased levels of cGMP. Acute hypoxia-induced PA vasoconstriction ex vivo and continuous telemetry monitoring of hypoxia (10% oxygen)-induced elevated PA pressure in freely moving rats were significantly restored by administration of P1. Chronic hypoxia (10% oxygen for 4 weeks)-induced alterations in PA perfusion pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and vascular remodeling were attenuated by P1 treatment. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of P1 to prevent and/or arrest the progression of hypoxia-induced PAH via NO/cGMP-dependent modulation of hemodynamic and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary circulation.
IFSAR processing for 3D target reconstruction

In this paper we investigate the use of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) processing for the 3D reconstruction of radar targets. A major source of reconstruction error is induced by multiple scattering responses in a resolution cell, giving rise to height errors. We present a model for multiple scattering centers and analyze the errors that result using traditional IFSAR height estimation. We present a simple geometric model that characterizes the height error and suggests tests for detecting or reducing this error. We consider the use of image magnitude difference as a test statistic to detect multiple scattering responses in a resolution cell, and we analyze the resulting height error reduction and hypothesis test performance using this statistic. Finally, we consider phase linearity test statistics when three or more IFSAR images are available. Examples using synthetic Xpatch backhoe imagery are presented.
Modeling the Evacuation of the World Trade Center Towers on September 11, 2001

Multiple evacuation models were used to simulate different WTC tower evacuations, subject to a number of assumptions. The goal of the modeling was to frame an understanding of actual evacuation findings on September 11, 2001. Simulations demonstrated that a phased evacuation (occupants of the emergency floor, the occupants on the floor above, and the occupants on the floor below were to evacuate to three floors below the emergency floor) would have taken between 4 min to complete (without delays in evacuation initiation) and 11 min to complete (with evacuation initiation delays between 0 min and 10 min). Total evacuation of a tower assuming a full occupant load would have required from 92 min to 142 min. NIST estimated that approximately 14,000 occupants would have been unable to evacuate from WTC 1 and WTC 2 on September 11, 2001 had the starting building population in each tower been 19,800, i.e., a full occupant load without visitors.
Mimesis: Where play and narrative meet

Abstract There is a great deal of narrative in play and also of play in narrative, especially in the narrative and play of young children. Part of the reason for this may be that they share an important pattern or structure in the way they work as mental instruments, mimesis . Mimesis is a mode of representation in which the relation between the symbol that represents and the thing in the world that is represented is in some sense imitative; that is, the representation resembles the thing represented. The concept of mimesis is not precise, but it has two important, though not entirely distinct, strands which are based on two kinds of imitation: the imitation found in the indexical symbol, or sign, and the imitation that is found in literary representation. The general notion of imitation that these two strands share is somewhat elusive, but it seems clear that both play and narrative would share equally in it. Further consequences are discussed.
Devonian eustatic fluctuations in Euramerica: Discussion

No Abstract Available. The article discussed appeared in the Bulletin , v. 96, p. 567–587. The authors of that article declined to write a Reply to this Discussion.
Mean lives of the 2p 1P, 3p 1P, 4p 1P, and 5p 1P levels in He I

Mean lives measurement for excited levels in singlet system of neutral He using beam foil technique
Nature of Swarming in Nematodes

THE phenomenon of swarming in Tylenchorhynchus species and other nematodes1,2, under investigation for the past three years in Louisiana State University laboratories, has been related experimentally to physiological state, cuticle property and species specificity of plant parasitic and free-living forms.
“A Church-going People are a Dress-loving People”: Clothes, Communication, and Religious Culture in Early America

When the early nineteenth-century pastor William Henry Foote reflected upon the eighteenth-century Christians who were his forebears in North Carolina and Virginia, he paused at one point to make an observation about the clothes they wore. “A church-going people are a dress-loving people”, he said; “The sanctity and decorum of the house of God are inseparably associated with a decent exterior; and the spiritual, heavenly exercises of the inner man are incompatible with a defiled and tattered, or slovenly mein. All regular Christian assemblies cultivate a taste for dress, and none more so than the hardy pioneer settlers of Upper Carolina, and the valley and mountains of Virginia” As they readied themselves for worship, Foote elaborated, the faithful “put on their best and carefully preserved dress” in preparation for “their approach to the King of Kings”.
Metabolic suicide genes in gene therapy.

Abstract This article reviews uses of metabolic suicide genes in gene therapy. Suicide genes encode novel nonmammalian enzyme that can convert a relatively nontoxic prodrug into a highly toxic agent. Cells genetically transduced to express such genes essentially commit metabolic suicide in the presence of the appropriate prodrug. Three metabolic suicide genes are described: herpes simplex thymidine kinase, Escherichia coli cystosine deaminase and varicella zoster thymidine kinase. Transfer and expression of these genes into mammalian cells is described. Preclinical models of suicide gene therapy of cancer and human immunodeficiency virus are discussed, and several clinical trials employing suicide genes are described.
Time Series Analysis of Historical Surface Water Quality Data of the River Glen Catchment, U.K.

Abstract Solute concentrations in surface waters have increased in the recent past in many developed countries, and are close to or above WHO and EC drinking water limits in many British rivers. A time series analysis of surface water quality as indexed by total oxidized nitrogen (TON) is carried out for the River Glen catchment, U.K. for the period 1976–1990. Significant seasonal trends are observed in water quality, with solute concentrations increasing during winter and decreasing in summer. In addition, a strong increasing trend is observed in the nitrogen records using both graphical outputs and statistical analysis. Standard time series analyses (auto-correlation and partial auto-correlation functions) are not applicable to irregularly sampled water quality data sets provided by river monitoring public/statutory bodies, and there is a need for an established method capable of handling such data sets that would be available for most rivers. An approach based on multiple regression analysis has therefore been developed to quantify both seasonal and annual trends in the TON water quality data. It has been demonstrated that this approach is useful for the analysis of historical water quality data sets.
Deuterium isotope effects on β-galactosidase formation by Escherichia coli

Abstract The ability of Escherichia coli B to adapt to growth on lactose is inhibited in a D2O medium. This effect appears to be related in part to an inability to form the required amounts of β-galactosidase. Studies of the mechanism of deuterium inhibition of galactosidase formation in E. coli ML 3 showed that the initial effects involved increased catabolite repression and an apparent repressor concentration. Under glucose-limiting chemostat conditions, complete deuteration appears to alter the affinity of the repressor for inducer.
Resolving the timing of orogenesis in the Western Blue Ridge, southern Appalachians, via in situ ID-TIMS monazite geochronology

Both Taconian (ca. 450 Ma) and Acadian (ca. 380 Ma) ages of high-grade deformation and metamorphism have been advocated for the Western Blue Ridge, southern Appalachians, United States. To resolve this debate, metamorphic monazite from the Great Smoky Mountains was dated via in situ microsampling plus isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS). U-Pb ages are 450 ± 5 Ma (±2σ error), and mean 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ages are 453 ± 10 Ma. These data indicate that peak metamorphism and high-grade deformation occurred during the Taconian orogeny, although they do allow for a low-grade (sub-amphibolite-facies) Acadian overprint. Unresolved issues remain regarding the comparability of U-Pb TIMS ages with those obtained via other methods.
Correlation between unrepaired radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and mitotic delay in Physarum polycephalum.

THE DNA of cells exposed to ionizing radiation incurs strand breaks and certain other types of damage (for review see ref. 1). Single-strand breaks are repaired both in prokaryotes2,3 and in eukaryotes4–6. But although double-strand break repair has been reported for phage DNA in lambda phage-infected bacteria7, for the radioresistant bacterium Micrococcus radiodurans8 and for the Chinese hamster ovary cell9, this type of repair has not been demonstrated in other bacterial species3 and mammalian cell lines5,6,10, suggesting that double-strand, rather than single-strand breaks are the lesions primarily responsible for the lethal effects of ionizing radiation3,6,11.
Toward a more empathic relationship in pain medicine.

Specialists in pain medicine commonly experience psychological assaults on their self-esteem, especially from patients who seem unreasonably demanding, overly critical, or threatening. This article will discuss how these challenges can trigger a professional's self-protective and defensive coping mechanisms that, in turn, can provoke decidedly unempathic responses. Situations that compromise empathy, however, can be particularly worrisome in health delivery practices like pain medicine that are highly relational and that seek to use relationships therapeutically. The article will therefore conclude with two sets of strategies that might be useful in managing these uncomfortable situations more empathically. The first set will focus on certain pragmatics of empathy skill development. The second will discuss the Eastern notion of “bare attention” as an ideal form of empathic engagement that can also counteract an unhealthy degree of defensiveness when self-esteem is threatened.
Elastic Scattering of Protons by Deuterium Between 15 and 20 MeV

Differential cross sections for elastic scattering of protons by deuterium have been measured at laboratory energies of 14.9, 15.5, 16.2, 17.1, 18.5, 19.0, 19.6, and 19.9 MeV. 17 angles between 21.8 and 150.9\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} c.m. were included in each distribution. Nine of the angles represent the zeros of the Legendre polynomials through $l=4$. Relative errors were about 0.8% on the average, and absolute errors were about 1.8%. In addition, relative angular distributions were taken at 16.2, 17.1, 18.5, and 19.1 MeV, including 51 angles between 9.8 and 167.0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} c.m. These were normalized to the absolute data at c.m. angles between 30 and 54\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and are in good agreement at the remaining angles. Smooth curves can be drawn through the data and no indications of strong resonant behavior are found in this energy range.
The solution of a partial differential equation arising in fluid flow theory

Abstract The partial differential equation E 2 Ψ = 0 that arises in ideal fluid theory associated with irrotational flow is investigated in toroidal coordinates. The operator E 2 given by (2) is related to the Laplace operator ▿ 2 . The solution Ψ, which represents the stream function, is shown to depend on Legendre, trigonometric, and hyperbolic functions.
Adaptive strategies for Evolutionary Algorithm monitoring

Parameter tuning in Evolutionary Algorithms (EA), is a great obstacle that can become the key to success. Good parameter settings can yield optimal solutions, while bad settings may trap the EA, thus removing the chances of finding the optimal solutions. Therefore, it is vital that an optimal set of parameters configuration is chosen. It is a common practice to have a human expert that analyzes such parameters and modifies them accordingly. Such process is inefficient and expensive, since it requires time and is subject to human fatigue; it even becomes impractical if the environment is dynamic. This work proposes 2 adaptive strategies to tune such parameters: One Step Variation and a Fuzzy Logic Controller. A ranking scheme and modeling is introduced to evaluate the adaptive strategies. Results show that it may be possible to tune the parameters in an EA for achieving better results, without the need of an expert.
Electronic and Clinical Comparison of Pulp Testers

Electronic and clinical comparisons of three commercially available pulp testers were investigated using oscilloscopes and a clinical trial. The three devices varied in wave-form characteristics and showed statistically significant differences in patient responses.
ENERGY CONSERVATION IN TEXTILE DRYING BY SELECTION OF RINSE TEMPERATURE

In washing apparel and related articles, a cold rinse does not always conserve energy. Removal of water in spin drying becomes more complete as its temperature is raised, thus reducing the amount of costly thermal drying. When gas-heated water is used in washing followed by electric drying, total energy cost is minimized by using at least a warm rinse cycle. When the same type of energy is used in water heating and drying, no energy is saved by heating rinse water.
Language at the Fault Lines

Language can be a divisive issue, particularly in places where a single language is associated with nationality. One's native tongue (or remnant of) indicates cultural origin and can thus function as social capitol, allowing or denying entree into physical and social worlds. Children from dual-language families, especially those from Spanish-speaking homes, provide unique perspectives about bilingualism, especially as they consider how language can affect how others respond to language. Through reflective dialogue, two researchers explore conversations of six bilingual Hispanic adolescents. Presented in a Reader's Theatre format, the inner conflicts about the authors' respective observations about and experiences with language are interwoven with students' perceptions as they consider the attitudes of their peers, educators, and the community.
Parameterized types for Java

Java offers the real possibility that most programs can be written in a type-safe language. However, for Java to be broadly useful, it needs additional expressive power. This paper extends Java in one area where more power is needed: support for parametric polymorphism, which allows the definition and implementation of generic abstractions. We discuss both the rationale for our design decisions and the impact of the extension on other parts of Java, including arrays and the class library. We also describe optional extensions to the Java virtual machine to allow parameterized bytecodes, and how to verify them efficiently. We have extended the Java bytecode interpreter to provide good performance for parameterized code in both execution speed and code size, without slowing down non-parameterized code.
A Report on Mudd Design Workshop II: “Designing Design Education for the 21st Century”

This paper reports on a workshop on design education held at Harvey Mudd College (HMC) in May 1999. Mudd Design Workshop II was intended to provide a forum that would bring together design educators, design researchers, and designers from industry, in order to focus exclusively on the teaching of design in engineering education for the next century. Sessions were devoted to (1) design projects in both cornerstone and capstone courses, and metrics for selecting projects; (2) discipline-based and cross-disciplinary design courses; and (3) pedagogy, technology, and assessment in design education. Major emergent themes included the desirability of design throughout the curriculum, focuses on coaching and on learning, roles of projects and interactive learning, and the need to better address the interactions of grading and learning. Participants' specific commitments to future actions are also given.
Cloning Human Enamelin cDNA, Chromosomal Localization, and Analysis of Expression during Tooth Development

Enamelin is the largest protein in the enamel matrix of developing teeth. In the pig, enamelin is secreted as 186-kDa phosphorylated glycoprotein, which is rapidly processed by enamel proteinases into smaller cleavage products. During the secretory stage of enamel formation, enamelin is found among the crystallites in the rod and interrod enamel and comprises roughly 5% of total matrix protein. Although the function of enamelin is unknown, it is thought to participate in enamel crystal nucleation and extension, and the regulation of crystal habit. Here we report the results of enamelin in situ hybridization in a day 1 mouse developing incisor that shows that enamelin is expressed by ameloblasts, but not by odontoblasts or other cells in the dental pulp. The restricted pattern of enamelin expression makes the human enamelin gene a prime candidate in the etiology of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), a genetic disease in which defects of enamel formation occur in the absence of non-dental symptoms. We have clone...