cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of mistuned cyclic systems using mistune modes

Abstract The bladed disk assembly, a prime example of a cyclic system, forms an important component of modern turbomachinery. Vibrations of the blades leads to fatigue damage and limits their service life. Analysis of these systems is complicated by the combination of coupling of blade dynamics with mistuning of the blade properties. The present study of mistuned cyclic systems encompasses a complete model of a bladed disk assembly which includes multiple degrees-of-freedom per blade, aerodynamic coupling, and structural coupling. A systematic analysis of this model allows the determination of the effect of mistune pattern, along with excitation mode, on the forced response amplitudes of the blades. The main motivation of this study is to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of cyclic systems. Through this understanding, better designs of these components will be possible. The concept of mistuning modes is introduced to provide a generalized method of describing the mistuning of bladed disk assemblies. Perturbation analyses reveal which constant interblade phase angle modes will contribute to the response as a result of given mistune modes and excitation modes. Results generated through a computational study demonstrate the range of validity of the perturbation approaches.
Dynamics of merocyanine 540 in model biomembranes: photoisomerization studies in small unilamellar vesicles

The fluorescence lifetime, tau f, of merocyanine 540 (MC540) in small unilamellar vesicles was measured as a function of temperature and cholesterol content by using phase modulation fluorometry. These vesicles were formed by probe sonication of aqueous suspensions of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol. The fluorescence lifetime of MC540 in these vesicles decreased with increasing temperature, but was independent of cholesterol. The decrease in tau f with temperature is attributed to trans-cis photoisomerization. At low temperatures, the inverse of tau f, or the fluorescence rate constant, kf, approaches a constant value of 0.45 +/- 0.02 ns-1, which corresponds to the value of the radiative rate constant, kr, of the dye. The photoisomerization rate constant, kiso, was obtained by subtracting kr from kf. The temperature dependence of kiso is well described by an Arrhenius equation, with an activation energy of 31.5 +/- 0.9 kJ mol-1. This Arrhenius behavior is rationalized in terms of the Smoluchowski limit for the Kramers theory for activated barrier crossing. The electronic spectra and kiso for MC540 in these vesicles are consistent with the dye being located in the polar headgroup region of the lipid bilayer.
My school or our school: the effects of individual versus shared school experiences on teacher perceptions of safety

While the research in the area of fear of criminal victimization among students at school continues to grow, few studies have focused on the prevalence or correlates of fear of crime at school among teachers. Using data from 1,438 teachers from 54 public high schools in Kentucky, we examined the individual- and school-level predictors of teacher perceptions of school safety using hierarchical linear regression models (HLMs) of teacher perceived safety. Overall, we found that teacher perceptions of school safety were largely a function of individual experiences at school. Nonetheless, perceptions of safety did vary substantially across schools, and school-level characteristics accounted for part of this contextual variation. In particular, we found evidence that the incivility hypothesis-largely heretofore applied to understanding neighborhood variation in fear of crime-also extended to teachers nested within school settings. Presence of physical disorder (measured as both individual and within-school shared perceptions of incivility) decreased teachers' perceptions of school safety. Language: en
Neuronal nicotinic alpha7 receptors modulate inflammatory cytokine production in the skin following ultraviolet radiation

The anti-inflammatory effects of the neuronal nicotinic receptor alpha7 (nAChRα7) are proposed to require acetylcholine release from vagal efferents. The necessity for vagal innervation in this anti-inflammatory pathway was tested in the skin, which lacks parasympathetic innervation, using ultraviolet radiation (UVB) to induce a local pro-inflammatory response. Cytokine responses to UV in mice administered chronic oral nicotine, a nAChR agonist, were reduced. Conversely, nAChRα7 knock-out mice exposed to UVB elicit an enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine response in the skin. Altered pro-inflammatory responses correlated with changes in SOCS3 protein. These results demonstrate that nAChRα7 can participate in modulating a local pro-inflammatory response in the absence of parasympathetic innervation.
Miniature liquid junction reference electrode with micromachined silicon cavity

Abstract A miniature liquid junction reference electrode with a micromachined silicon cavity has been successfully fabricated in a silicon wafer with a thin layer of Corning 7930 porous glass as the membrane for ion exchange between the saturated KCl reference solution and the unknown electrolyte. The electrode is fabricated with micromachining techniques of anisotropic etching of silicon, forming a cavity. The cavity volume of the electrode is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 microliters.
Optimal confidence interval for the largest mean in repeated measurements design

SUMMARY A single-stage sampling procedure is proposed for obtaining an optimal confidence interval on the largest, or smallest, mean of k variates in a repeated measurements design. The variates are assumed to obey a multivariate normal distribution with common and known correlation coefficient and with the common variance being known or unknown. Percentage points to apply this procedure are also provided.
An architecture for distributed video applications based on declarative networking

Video surveillance applications are examples of complex distributed coalition tasks. Real-time capture and analysis of image sensor data is one of the most important tasks in a number of military critical decision making scenarios. In complex battlefield situations, there is a need to coordinate the operation of distributed image sensors and the analysis of their data as transmitted over a heterogeneous wireless network where bandwidth, power, and computational capabilities are constrained. There is also a need to automate decision making based on the results of the analysis of video data. Declarative Networking is a promising technology for controlling complex video surveillance applications in this sort of environment. This paper presents a flexible and extensible architecture for deploying distributed video surveillance applications using the declarative networking paradigm, which allows us to dynamically connect and manage distributed image sensors and deploy various modules for the analysis of video data to satisfy a variety of video surveillance requirements. With declarative computing, it becomes possible for us not only to express the program control structure in a declarative fashion, but also to simplify the management of distributed video surveillance applications.
Contributions of Elastin to the Quasi-Static Tensile Mechanics of Medial Collateral Ligament

Elastin is a highly crosslinked, chemically stable protein that provides resilience to tissues, but its contribution to the mechanics of ligament is not fully understood. In highly extensible tissues like artery, heart valves and nuchal ligament that can consist of up to 75% elastin [8], disruption of the elastin network has been shown to decrease the stiffness and resilience in these tissues [2,10,11].Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Chords of longest circuits of graphs embedded in torus and Klein bottle

Thomassen conjectured that every longest circuit of a 3-connected graph has a chord. It is proved in this paper that every longest circuit of a 4-connected graph embedded in a torus or Klein bottle has a chord. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 43: 1–23, 2003
The effect of mevinolin on cytosolic acetoacetyl coenzyme a thiolase activity in Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts.

The effects of mevinolin on cytosolic acetoacetyl CoA thiolase activity were studied in wild type Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts and in CHO cells adapted to growth in high levels of mevinolin. Acetoacetyl CoA thiolase, HMG CoA synthase and HMG CoA reductase activities were elevated in the mevinolin resistant line, KH 2.0. Thiolase activity was also increased when wild type cells were incubated for 5 days with 1 μm mevinolin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the regulation of the first three enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway is mediated at least in part via a common mechanism.
The Evolution of Family Studies Research

This article reviews the emerging methodological, theoretical, and topical trends in the field of family studies across the 20th century. We discuss transitions in the definitions and methods of studying families and analyze the changes in marriage and intimate partnerships, parent-child relationships, and the social ecology of the family. These general topics include issues such as marital satisfaction, violence, the social construction of gender, the interface of family and work, conceptualizations of parenting roles and socialization processes, poverty, diversity, and multiculturalism.
Technologies of the spouse: intimate surveillance in Senegalese transnational marriages

Rapid advances in communication technology in the last 20 years have enabled migrants to sustain social and economic investment in multiple geographic locations, or, to be transnational. In this article, by analysing non-migrant Senegalese women's experiences in marriages with migrant Senegalese men, I critically engage in discussions about the role of technology in transnational family dynamics. In the intimate negotiations of transnational married life, these women feel profoundly ambivalent about the role of communication technologies in their lives. Instead of enabling ‘emotional closeness’, the virtual presence of their absent husbands frequently represents a spectre of suspicion, control and surveillance.
Factors affecting normal carbohydrate levels in Rana pipiens.

Variation in Rana pipiens blood glucose levels caused by assay techniques was at least 50% of basal levels. Increases caused by handling and anesthesia were as great as 200% for glucose and 800% for lactate. Dietary status induced variations as great as 100% in blood glucose and muscle glycogen and 600% in liver glycogen. Maximal seasonal differences (March to August) of approximately 50% for blood glucose and tissue glycogen concentrations were observed. Frogs from different geographic areas showed differences in October glycogen reserves as great as 25 to 50%.
On the problem of fluid flow under a sluice gate

Abstract This paper is concerned with the now of an inviscid, incompressible fluid under a sluice gate. The problem is approached on the basis of the 2-dimensional theory of a directed fluid sheet developed recently by Green, Laws and Naghdi. In the context of this theory, the appropriate jump conditions at the sluice gate are discussed and the exact solution is obtained for the region on each side of the gate. Also discussed is the relationship of the solution obtained to previous treatments of the same problem.
The impact of racial discrimination and coping strategies on internalizing symptoms in African American youth.

The current study examined the impact of racial discrimination stress on internalizing symptoms and coping strategies in a sample of 268 African American early adolescents (mean age = 12.90; 56% female) from low-income communities. Information about discrimination stress, coping, and internalizing symptoms was obtained via adolescents’ self-report. It was predicted that discrimination stress would be positively associated with depression and anxiety, as well as culturally-specific coping. Finally, culturally-relevant coping and mainstream coping were examined as moderators of the association between discrimination stress and internalizing symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that discrimination stress was positively associated with depression and anxiety and predicted culturally-relevant coping while controlling for mainstream coping. Communalistic coping moderated the association between discrimination and anxiety, but demonstrated a vulnerability function by increasing anxiety at high levels of discrimination. The results highlight the salience of racial discrimination for African American adolescents and the importance of considering culturally-specific coping behaviors.
An improved method for the determination of urinary myoinositol by gas-liquid chromatography.

Abstract Previous methods for the determination of urinary myoinositol by gas-liquid chromatography of its trimethylsilyl derivatives have required preincubation of urine samples with urease. Since we have observed that commercially available urease preparations contain significant amounts of myoinositol, a method for the separation of urinary myoinositol and urea has been developed which avoids the use of urease.
Notes on the fantastic journey of the Hajj, his anthropologist, and her American Passport

Many Israeli representations of the Sinai have sought to preserve (or recreate?) a pastoral idyll of biblical wilderness in the midst of 20th-century military occupation (1967–82). This article argues that such works are shaped by the Israeli discourses of Judaism, Zionism, and Arabism—discourses of diaspora, displacement, and marginalization. Coauthored by an old Mzeini Bedouin, an Israeli ethnographer, and her American spouse, the article aims at deterritorializing the boundaries of the Bedouin as a scholarly trope in such works by discursively retracing his mutated lived experience out of the final Eurocentric text. The “native” is thus positioned as literary critic of his Eurocentric textual representation. [ethnographic authorship, ethnographic creativity and the discourse of subalternity, displacement and diaspora, Israeli and Egyptian nationalisms, South Sinai Bedouin (Mzeina tribe), fieldwork and family]
Characterization of the power spectrum of force-deformation relationships of crunchy foods

The mean magnitude of the power spectra of the compressive force-deformation relationships of breadsticks, pretzels and zwiebacks, exposed to five levels of relative humidity, was determined at various cutoff frequencies. In all three foods the mean magnitude had a linear correlation with the Fractal dimension of the normalized original force-deformation relationship, regardless of the cutoff frequency. This implies that the jaggedness of the force-deformation curve, which is most probably a manifestation of the material crunchiness or crumbliness, can be quantified by an additional single numerical index, the mean magnitude of the power spectrum. The correlation's independence of the cutoff frequency is an indication that the loss of crunchiness, as a result of moisture sorption, can be expressed in the shape of the whole spectrum and not only in its high frequency region.
INTRODUCING THE HUMAN SIDE OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT INTO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Total quality management (TQM) is an organizational system that can significantly change the methods by which educational institutions deliver services to students and the community. TQM, however, requires a strong commitment by organizational leadership as well as the training and empowerment of employees at all organizational levels. Common barriers to the implementation of TQM in institutions of higher education have been identified from the experiences of Rio Salado Community College's attempt to change its institutional culture and operate as a TQM organization. Rio Salado Community College has addressed such issues as the college system of rewards and recognition and the fear experienced by employees.
Metabolism of bis-β-chloroethyl sulfide (sulfur mustard gas)

Abstract The metabolism of bis-β-chloroethyl sulfide- 35 S has been investigated in mice, rats and human subjects. In the rodents, the major portion of radioactivity was excreted in the urine within the first 24 hr, whereas in the human considerable radiosulfur was retained for long periods. In the rat only traces of radioactivity were expired, while small amounts were found in the feces. Large amounts of thiodiglycol and of bis-β-chloroethyl sulfone have been detected in the urine, largely as conjugates. Evidence is presented that much of the drug reacts immediately with glutathione, and this complex is excreted. It is concluded that the majority of the radioactivity excreted in the urine represents compounds formed from alkylation by the drug, rather than metabolites formed by enzymic action.
An on-ward follow-up program.

A study covering three years was made of an on-ward follow-up program for patients discharged from their original ward, in contrast to the usual off-the-ward, follow-up programs. It was found that readmissions (the “revolvingdoor syndrome”) diminished markedly. The return of the ward patient for treatment to a follow-up clinic on his original ward was a prime catalyst in sustaining basic contact and supporting a positive transference which maintained the patient outside of the hospital.
Stochastic wave function for atomic helium

Abstract A method is given for random sampling which yields a density equal to the groundstate wave function for the helium atom. As an intermediate step, a Green's function for the diffusion operator containing the repulsive interaction is sampled. A technique for generating a density function proportional to ψ 2 is outlined. Attention is paid to the development of estimators with finite variance. Results are shown for the electron density and for 〈 r 2 〉 The latter agrees well with previous numerical results.
Multiple soliton solutions for a new coupled Ramani equation

In this work, a new sixth-order coupled Ramani equation is proposed. Hereman's method is employed for analytic treatment of this equation. The constraint condition between parameters is established. Multiple soliton solutions and multiple singular soliton solutions are formally derived for this model. The resonance phenomenon does not exist for this new coupled Ramani equation.
Hematologic findings predictive of bone marrow disease in dogs with multicentric large‐cell lymphoma

Background: Evaluation of the bone marrow is needed for completestaging in dogs with multicentric large-cell lymphoma, but is often omittedinclinicalpractice.Objectives: The objective was to determine if routine peripheral bloodﬁndings, including microscopic evaluation of blood smears, can predict thepresenceofbonemarrowinvolvementindogswithlymphoma.Methods: Hematologic data including evaluation of blood smears andbonemarrowaspiratesfrom107dogsnewlydiagnosedwithlarge-celllym-phoma were retrospectively evaluated. Neoplastic lymphocytes were iden-tiﬁed based on cell size, nuclear size, chromatin pattern, and the presenceof nucleoli. Positive specimens were deﬁned as having ≥ 10% neoplasticlymphocytes. Two groups were established based on the presence orabsenceoflymphomainthebonemarrow.Variables(positivebloodsmear,HCT,plateletcount,andtotalanddifferentialWBCcounts)wereevaluatedto determine if they were predictive of bone marrow involvement usingunivariateandmultivariatelogisticmodels.Results: Thrombocytopenia and the presence of > 10% neoplastic lym-phocytes on blood smears were identiﬁed as signiﬁcant variables for pre-dicting the presence of bone marrow involvement. When consideredindependently,eitherapositivebloodsmearor thrombocytopeniahadlowsensitivity (60%) and moderate speciﬁcity (89% and 87%, respectively).Sensitivityincreasedwhenthesevariableswereevaluatedtogether(80%).Conclusions: In dogs with multicentric large-cell lymphoma, thrombocy-topenia or the presence of neoplastic lymphocytes in circulation is sugges-tive of bone marrow involvement, but not deﬁnitive. Normal peripheralblood ﬁndings do not exclude the possibility of lymphoma in the bonemarrow.
An Application of QM‐QSAR to Predict and Rationalize the Refractive Index of a Wide Variety of Simple Organic/Organosilicon Molecules

The Refractive Index (RI) is a basic optical property of organic matter. In our research on dental restorative materials, RI values of monomers are important, since they affect the penetration of initiating light pulses into the forming matrix. This paper addresses the development of a general Quantum-Mechanically based Quantitative Structure - Activity Relationship (QMQSAR) for the RI of small molecules. SAM1 is the semiempirical method used to calculate molecular properties. A training set of 75 varied molecules was used to derive the final QSAR model, which included descriptors quantifying the contributions of the relative numbers of carbon atoms and the a polarizability of the molecule. The coefficient of correlation was R 2 = 0.924, and the other indicators of quality were within acceptable limits. The model demonstrated extensibility beyond the training set by predicting the refractive index of 29 molecules with an R 2 =0.913. The signed error, unsigned error and RMSE are -0.0049, 0.01412, and 0.0167 respectively. Comparison was made to existing models in the literature.
An Exploration of the Use of Curriculum-Based Measurement by Elementary Special Educators.

This study examined special educators' use of curriculum-based measurement as progress monitoring. Teacher characteristics were examined to determine if there was a relationship between certain teacher characteristics and utilizing curriculum-based measurement. A questionnaire was completed by 191 special educators in the Midwest. Results showed that 45% (n = 86) of the respondents utilized curriculum-based measurement for at least one purpose (monitoring ongoing progress, part of the prereferral process, evaluating programs, or identifying students with disabilities) and 55% (n = 105) did not use curriculum-based measurement. Curriculum-based measurement for progress monitoring in reading is utilized significantly more often than curriculum-based measurement in math or spelling. Teachers also responded that they had an interest in attending a workshop and reading information on curriculum-based measurement. Suggestions for practice and future research are explained.
Auxin Structure & Abscission Activity.

Since the early work of Laibach (7) abscission has been considered to be controlled by auxin, but comparative effects have been reported for only a few auxins (4, 5, 13) and it is not clear to what extent abscission activity is really related to auxin activity. Moreover, when comparative studies have been made only the inhibitory effects of auxins have been compared (4). The aim of the present study is to conmpare quantitatively the abscission effects of a selection of chemicals having various degrees of auxin activity. Both inhibitory and promotive aspects have been considered in an effort to clarify the extent to which abscission effects are related to auxin effects on growth.
Nursing Student Research Assistant Program: A strategy to enhance nursing research capacity building in a Magnet status pediatric hospital

For busy clinicians, time to conduct research is scarce. A novel solution, the Nursing Student Research Assistant Program (NS-RAP), was designed in collaboration with area nursing schools to build research capacity at a pediatric hospital. Undergraduate and graduate nursing students participated in a variety of research experiences that, in turn, aided the conduct of clinician-initiated research at the pediatric hospital. In this article, conceptualization, implementation, outcomes, challenges, and future directions of NS-RAP are discussed.
Ion cyclotron resonance single and double resonance signals for a complex reaction scheme

Abstract The quantitative application of source-irradiation ion cyclotron double resonance to the measurement of the relative rates of competing ion—molecule reactions is considered, with specific application illustrated for the kinetic scheme Theoretical and experimental grounds are presented for believing that the predominant origin of a normal double resonance effect is reactant ion ejection, and an expression is given for ion ejection as a function of irradiating field strength. A set of expressions is derived giving quantitative peak heights for the ionic species of Scheme I for both the single resonance and double resonance experiments. Experimental double resonance results at several irradiating field strengths are reported which support the theoretical model. Combining these results with a single resonance measurement of rate constant C 1 , the rate constants determined are: C 1 = (7.5±1) × 10 −10 cm 3 molecule −1 sec −1 , C 2 / C 1 = 1.5 and C 3 / C 1 = 0.57.
Left ventricular asynergy

Abstract Left ventricular asynergy is a localized morphologic disturbance of ventricular wall motion which disrupts the normal coordinated pattern of left ventricular contraction. Several distinct types of asynergy are seen: akinesis, or local absence of wall motion; dyskinesis, or local expansile or paradoxical wall motion; asyneresis, or geometric distortion or inequality of wall motion; asynchrony, or a disturbed temporal sequence of contraction. These localized abnormalities are closely related to the anatomic, electrocardiographic, and biochemical zones of ischemia in coronary heart disease and are also seen in cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions that cause ventricular hypertrophy, and with ectopic excitation and activation of the left ventricle. Although often associated with clinical and, more frequently, laboratory evidence of cardiac failure, asynergy not uncommonly occurs in the absence of cardiac enlargement. Such morphologic abnormalities provide a functional basis for the hemodynamic disturbances seen in coronary heart disease. Thus, ventricular asynergy represents a dynamic abnormality appreciated only in life as a derangement of the integrated function of the left ventricle and represents an important cause of cardiac failure.
Optical scintillation measurements in a desert environment II: retroreflector links

The NRL Transportable Atmospheric Testing Suite (TATS) system was used to measure time resolved scintillation over a variety of different ranges at China Lake in December 2010. In this paper an analysis of scintillation effects on retro-reflector links is presented. Scintillation index, power spectral density and probability distribution functions are deduced from the measured irradiance fluctuations. Effects of aperture averaging using multiple retro-reflectors is examined as well as the contribution to the irradiance fluctuations due to enhanced backscatter.
Gametes contain angiotensin converting enzyme (kininase II).

The localization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the gonads of the normal rabbit was studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The enzyme is present in the cytoplasm of testicular spermatids and of epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa, and on the surface of follicular and tubal cocytes. These findings support the hypothesis that ACE has a role in gamete maturation and in fertilization.
Is there a correlation between age and D-aspartic acid in human knee cartilage?

L-Aspartic acid (L-Asp) is one of the fastest racemizing amino acids such that the abnormal D-form (D-Asp) has been found in stable biological human tissues such as dentin in teeth, eye lens and brain. Earlier reports showed that there was a linear correlation between age and D-Asp in teeth. We have previously reported that significant levels of D-Asp were found in normal and osteoarthritic knee cartilage. Since cartilage is a slow regenerating tissue, we hypothesized that D-Asp should accumulate in knee cartilage and that there might be a correlation between the age of the person and the amount of D-Asp found in cartilage. Our analysis of approximately 100 samples of normal knee cartilage showed that there are detectable amounts of D-Asp (2–4% of total Asp) in knee cartilage. However, there was only a slight correlation (r = 0.35) between the age of the person and the amount of D-Asp (nmoles/g). Surprisingly, there was a better correlation between age and the amount of D-Asp in the male subjects (r = 0.57) than in the female subjects (r = 0.21).
Correlation between granulation of juxtaglomerular cells and extractable renin in rats with experimental hypertension.

SummaryNormal rat kidneys and kidneys with a narrowed renal artery have abundant granules in the juxtaglomerular cells and large quantities of extractable renin. On the other hand, kidneys of rats with desoxycorticosterone hypertension and the “untouched' kidney of rats with unilateral renal hypertension (resulting from narrowing of the contralateral renal artery) both have a virtual absence of juxtaglomerular granules as well as absence of extractable renin. There is so little renin in these kidneys that the renal extracts usually produce a depressor response. Thus, there exists a striking correlation between the amount of juxtaglomerular granulation and the amount of extractable renin in a kidney. This does not prove that these granules are composed of renin but the observations are compatible with such a hypothesis.
How do cochlear prostheses work

The past two decades have witnessed a revolution in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear prostheses have evolved from laboratory experiment to a commercial technology that has benefited over 20,000 people. Paralleling this phenomenal development has been a substantial increase in our understanding of the biophysical, physiological and psychophysical mechanisms underlying the function of these devices.
An Unusual Case of Left Upper Lobe Pulmonary Edema

This is a report of an unusual case of left, predominantly upper lobe, pulmonary edema secondary to paravalvular mitral regurgitation (MR) complicating mitral valve replacement. Transesophageal echocardiography proved helpful in making the diagnosis of MR and suggesting the mechanism of the pulmonary edema.
Human kinship, from conceptual structure to grammar.

Research in anthropology has shown that kin terminologies have a complex combinatorial structure and vary systematically across cultures. This article argues that universals and variation in kin terminology result from the interaction of (1) an innate conceptual structure of kinship, homologous with conceptual structure in other domains, and (2) principles of optimal, "grammatical" communication active in language in general. Kin terms from two languages, English and Seneca, show how terminologies that look very different on the surface may result from variation in the rankings of a universal set of constraints. Constraints on kin terms form a system: some are concerned with absolute features of kin (sex), others with the position (distance and direction) of kin in "kinship space," others with groups and group boundaries (matrilines, patrilines, generations, etc.). Also, kin terms sometimes extend indefinitely via recursion, and recursion in kin terminology has parallels with recursion in other areas of language. Thus the study of kinship sheds light on two areas of cognition, and their phylogeny. The conceptual structure of kinship seems to borrow its organization from the conceptual structure of space, while being specialized for representing genealogy. And the grammar of kinship looks like the product of an evolved grammar faculty, opportunistically active across traditional domains of semantics, syntax, and phonology. Grammar is best understood as an offshoot of a uniquely human capacity for playing coordination games.
Political Dynamics and Bureaucratic Career Patterns in the People's Republic of China, 1949-1994

Bureaucrats and bureaucratic organizations are at the center of political and economic institutions of state socialism. This study examines the link between political dynamics and bureaucratic care...
Identification of key residues involved in the dimerization of the secretory Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter NKCC1.

The “secretory” Na+–K+–2Cl– cotransporter, NKCC1, belongs to the SLC12 gene family of electroneutral cation–chloride cotransporters. A number of these proteins, including NKCC1 itself, exist as homodimers in the membrane, suggesting that this may be a common feature of the SLC12 family. We have previously demonstrated that replacing the C-terminus of NKCC1 with that of its close homologue NKCC2 produced a fully functional chimeric protein that formed homodimers but did not dimerize with NKCC1. Here we employ a novel co-immunoprecipitation assay to study the dimerization interaction of NKCC1 using additional NKCC1/NKCC2 C-terminal chimeras and point mutants. Our results indicate that the substitution of a number of regions of the C-terminus of NKCC1 with the corresponding sequence from NKCC2 results in weakened dimerization with wild-type NKCC1, demonstrating that various residues play a role in this interaction. Most interestingly, however, we find that the replacement of a single NKCC1 residue, G812, wit...
Activation of a procarcinogen by reduction: Cr6+→Cr5+→Cr4+→Cr3+ a case study by electron spin resonance (ESR/PMR)∗

Abstract Chromate is a human carcinogen. Since it does not form a covalent DNA adduct in vitro under physiological conditions, and is not mutagenic in vitro in the presence of cytochrome P450 preparations from liver, reduction of Cr6+ by cellular reductants to lower oxidation states such as Cr5+, Cr4+ is considered to be a critical step in the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Long‐lived paramagnetic chromium species, Cr5+, Cr4+, Cr3+ are formed in the presence of coenzymes such as NAD(P)H, GSH, and cytochromes. These anionic complexes of reduced chromium are considered potential “penultimate” carcinogens. Various in vitro and in vivo studies from our group have demonstrated the formation of these ionic species using a modified paramagnetic spectroscopy approach. In this review, information is provided on the half‐lives of formation and decay, free energy changes, atomic structures and reaction mechanisms of these compounds in situ, in vivo and in vitro, at the molecular, cellular and organismic levels. Hydrox...
Configuring computer systems through constraint-based modeling and interactive constraint satisfaction

Abstract A major problem in the computer industry, as with many other industries, is ensuring that the products ordered by a customer are viable products and that they can be delivered at the quoted price. The inability of companies to solve this problem results in an enormous expense for a company. In this paper we present an approach to solving this problem in the computer industry through constraint-based modeling and interactive constraint satisfaction. pc/con , a Personal Computer Configuration System, has been built within a computer-based environment called Saturn. The development of pc/con and related work is discussed. Saturn's architecture is presented and an example session with pc/con is demonstrated. We show how Saturn and pc/con have the features and capabilities necessary to support the extremely large variety of products and to support the maintenance of a configuration system for a rapidly and continuously changing product line. This approach would also appear to be applicable to other industries where there is a wide product variety.
A workstation approach to IC process and device design

IC designers are turning more and more to CAD tools to develop complex designs and to automate time-consuming tasks. Although there are a variety of integrated tools for many types of VLSI design, very few integrated systems have been built to address process and device design. Recognizing this need, researchers at MIT set out to define the requirements of a process and device design environment, implement a subset of these functions, and integrate the tools into a user-friendly design environment. As part of their work on creating a user-friendly environment, they developed the MASTIF workstation to provide graphic, window-oriented user interaction to process and device designers. >
Hemodynamic and arteriographic evaluation of femoral pulsatility index

Femoral pulsatility index (FPI), a function derived from the Doppler arterial velocity spectrum which is independent of Doppler probe/vessel angle, has previously been reported to be inversely proportional to the angiographically determined degree of aortoiliac stenosis. Previous animal experiments correlating FPI with hemodynamic measurements have produced conflicting results. This study was undertaken to assess the correlation of FPI with hemodynamic and arteriographic measurements in the clinical setting. Fifty-five lower extremities in 34 patients were studied by arteriography with multiplanar views of the pelvis, intraarterial pressure measurements at the common femoral artery level, and measurement of FPI. FPI was then compared to percentage iliac artery stenosis and the femoral artery/brachial artery pressure index. Iliac artery stenoses greater than 49% and pressure indices less than 0.95 were considered of hemodynamic significance. A correlation of decreasing FPI with increasing degrees of stenosis (r = −0.418) and decreasing pressure (r = 0.288) was identified (P < 0.05). Optimal data separation was achieved at a FPI of 2.5. In comparison to arteriography, a FPI <2.5 was 76% accurate in the detection of hemodynamically significant aortoiliac occlusive disease. There were false-negative and false-positive rates of 27 and 21%, respectively, with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 81%. In comparison to intraarterial pressure, FPI was 66% accurate; there were false-negative and false-positive rates of 38 and 31%, respectively, with a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 69%. FPI significantly correlates with both hemodynamic and anatomic changes in the aortoiliac system. However, FPI is not sufficiently accurate for its previously suggested use as a clinical tool to differentiate hemodynamically significant from hemodynamically insignificant aortoiliac occlusive disease.
Simulation of motoneuron morphology in three dimensions. II. Building complete neurons

By using dendrogram data from six adult cat alpha motoneurons, we have constructed computer simulations of these cells in three dimensions (3D) by "growing" their dendritic trees from stem branches that were oriented as in the original cells. Individual trees were simulated by using the algorithms and parameters discussed in the companion paper (Marks and Burke [2007] J. Comp. Neurol. 503:685-700). It was not possible to distinguish real from simulated motoneurons by visual inspection of 3D drawings. Simulated cells were compared quantitatively with their actual exemplars by using features that were measured in spherical shells at various radii centered on the soma. These included nearest neighbor distances (NNDs) between branches, the sizes and overlaps between the territories of individual dendrites measured as convex hulls (polygons that enclose all branches passing through a shell), and the sizes of circular zones that contained no branches. We also compared the 3D fractal dimensions and lacunarity (a measure of the 3D dispersion of branches) in actual cells and their simulations. The statistical properties of these quantitative measures were not significantly different, suggesting that the simulation algorithm was quite successful. However, there were three exceptions: 1) there were more NNDs at distances < 50 microm in simulated than in actual motoneurons; 2) average overlaps between the territories of different dendrites were almost twice as large in simulated compared with actual motoneurons; and 3) estimates of lacunarity were also larger in simulated cells. These exceptions suggest that dendritic branches in actual motoneurons tend to avoid one another. We discuss possible interpretations of these results.
Universal multimedia access

A growing diversity of pervasive devices such as wireless phones and hand-held computers is gaining access to the Internet and other information sources. However, much of the rich multimedia content cannot be easily handled by the terminal devices with limited communication, processing, storage and display capabilities. One of the driving applications of the MPEG-7 multimedia content description standard involves the concept of "Universal Multimedia Access." The basic idea of Universal Multimedia Access (UMA) is the allowance of scalable or adaptive delivery of multimedia to users and terminals regardless of conditions of communication bandwidth or capabilities of terminal devices and their support for media formats. In this paper, we describe how MPEG-7 enables UMA by providing tools for specification of Transcoding Hints, Content Variations, Space and Frequency Views, and Summaries.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Iron-Fortified Infant Cereals

Infants are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency and related anemia due to their high growth rates and the low iron content of breast milk and most unfortified weaning foods. Cows' milk also is poor in iron, and certain forms of cows' milk cause blood and thus iron loss from the gastrointestinal tract. Iron-fortified cereal-based complementary foods – infant cereals – are recommended to supply the iron needs of older infants. Fortified infant cereals contain much more iron than other fortified cereal products – up to ten or fifteen times as much. Highly or slightly soluble iron salts have excellent bioavailability, but affect color and reduce chemical stability, so these iron salts are not commonly used to fortify infant cereals. Insoluble sources of iron, such as the iron phosphates, were used historically to fortify infant cereals, but these sources have very poor bioavailability. Infants depending on these cereals for iron suffered from high rates of iron deficiency and anemia. Elemental iron of...
Nutrient composition of selected whole invertebrates

Although nutrient requirements of insectivores have not been specifically determined, detailed chemical analysis of invertebrates used in zoo feeding programs is essential for evaluating nutritional adequacy based on domestic animal models. Additionally, such data can provide valuable suggestions for future research priorities. Proximate composition, fat-soluble vitamins, and minerals in mealworms (Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio), crickets (Acheta domesticus), waxworms (Galleria mellonella), fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), and earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) were determined. All species had a water content >50% of their body weights. Larval invertebrates had higher fat content (x >30% dry matter [DM]) than adult species. Total nitrogen (N) ranged from 5.2±1.1% DM (earthworms) to 10.3±0.4% DM (adult crickets), whereas chemically bound N comprised 3–10% of total N in all invertebrates. Neutral detergent fiber, used as a measure of chitin, averaged 15.3±3.6% DM for all species except wild-caught earthworms, which were higher (51% DM). Vitamin E concentrations ranged from 15±3 IU/kg DM (mealworms) to 509±232 IU/kg DM (waxworms). Vitamin A concentrations were undetectable (fruit flies) to low in all samples; none met the recommended dietary vitamin A concentrations established for domestic carnivores. Insects had low calcium concentrations (x = 0.11%) and imbalanced calcium:phosphorus ratios except for pinhead crickets. Insects sampled contained sufficient concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mg, P, and Zn to meet known requirements of domestic birds and mammals, whereas supermealworms and waxworms contained deficient levels of Mn. Earthworms appeared to meet dietary mineral requirements, based on domestic bird and mammal recommendations. Zoo Biol 17:123–134, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Glucose utilization by edematous rat lungs.

Edema was produced in the isolated perfused rat lung by raising left atrial pressure. Eleven control lungs consumed 18±3.9 µmoles glucose/lung · hr−1 and released 17.1±4.2 µmoles lactate/lung · hr−1. During pulmonary edema in 13 isolated perfused lungs, glucose consumption was 35.5±8.8 µmoles/lung · hr−1 (P<.05) and lactate production was 37±5.9 µmoles/lung · hr−1 (P<.05). Separation of radiolabeled glucose and lactate indicated that all lactate was derived from glucose in control and edematous lungs. We found no important difference in14CO2 production from 1-14C, 6-14C, or14C(U)-glucose. Tissue slices of lungs made edematous in vivo had differences in glucose consumption and lactate production which were similar to those observed in the isolated lungs. Oxygen consumption by 1 mm thick lung slices was 224±9.7 µl O2/mg DNA · hr−1 in control and 218±18 µl O2/mg DNA · hr−1 in edematous lungs. When dinitrophenol was added to the medium, the QO2 was greater in the control than in the edematous lung slices (391±22 µl O2/mg DNA · hr−1 control vs. 334±33 µl O2/mg DNA · hr−1 edema,P<.05). We concluded that pulmonary edema in the isolated rat lung is accompanied by: 1) greater glucose consumption; 2) greater lactate production; 3) no important difference in14CO2 production from pentose pathway or tricarboxylic cycle activity; and 4) lower response of edematous tissue slices to dinitrophenol stimulation.
Three-element phased-array approach to diffuse optical imaging based on postprocessing of continuous-wave data

We present a multielement phased-array approach to diffuse optical imaging based on postprocessing of continuous-wave data for the improvement of spatial resolution. In particular, we present a theoretical and experimental analysis of the performance of a three-element source array in the study of an optically turbid medium with two embedded cylindrical inclusions. We find that the proposed phased-array approach is able to resolve two cylinders with side-to-side separation of 10 mm that are not resolved by the intensity associated with a single light source.
Not As They Seem

I recount the early influences that directed me toward a career in research and then describe some efforts investigating Cowpea mosaic virus and the satellite RNA of Tobacco ringspot virus. These descriptions have a common theme of surprise, how things often can be not as they are expected to be. Finally, I examine the widely held belief that a plant transgene derived from a distant taxonomic source presents a greater risk than a transgene derived from a closely related plant and contend that this also is a situation in which things may not be as they initially seem.
Electrostrictive forces on vesicles with compartmentalized permittivity and conductivity conditions

Electrostrictive forces on the plasma membrane of a lipid bilayer vesicle that result as a consequence of an applied electric field and differential dielectric material properties can be calculated via the Maxwell stress tensor. In this situation, the plasma membrane is proposed as a barrier that separates compartments of a system with different conductivity and relative permittivity values. A numerical model of this case is presented. Model force calculations compare with analytical equation results and were used to validate published experimental work. The model also was used to study electrostatic forces in a simple vesicle system contrasting such forces to frequency dependent deformations. Model results for vesicles in variable conductivity and relative permittivity environments are analyzed to build a framework with the potential to become a tool to study more complex problems with multiple compartments such as cells and tissues. Impedance spectroscopy is also explored as a potential experimental method to predict cell and tissue system behavior in the presence of electric fields.
Experimental Demonstration of the Control of Flexible Structures

The Large Space Structure Technology Flexible Beam Experiment employs a pinned-free flexible beam to demonstrate such required methods as dynamic and adaptive control, as well as various control law design approaches and hardware requirements. An attempt is made to define the mechanization difficulties that may inhere in flexible structures. Attention is presently given to analytical work performed in support of the test facility's development, the final design's specifications, the control laws' synthesis, and experimental results obtained.