cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adrenergic enzymes in cultured mouse neuroblastoma: absence of detectable aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase.

— The relative activities of tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic-l-amino-acid decarboxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase were established in a number of clones of neuroblastoma cells isolated from the uncloned mouse C-1300 tumor. One clone, NBD-2, was chosen for further analysis on the basis of its relatively high activities of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase. The levels of these enzymes, and monoamine oxidase and catechol O-methyltransferase, were at least 20-80 fold lower in the neuroblastoma culture than in mouse superior cervical ganglion. More importantly, aromatic-l-amino-acid decarboxylase activity was not even detectable in any neuroblastoma clone examined. Based on the relative sensitivities of the tyrosine hydroxylase and aromatic-l-amino-acid decarboxylase assays and on the ratio of these two enzymes in the mouse ganglion, decarboxylase activity is more than 10 fold lower in the cultured cells than would be predicted on the basis of tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Dialysis and mixing studies with neuroblastoma extracts and partially purified aromatic-l-amino-acid decarboxylase did not reveal the presence of any endogenous inhibitors that could account for the low level of decarboxylase activity in the cultured cells. During growth of the neuroblastoma cells to confluency, only one enzyme, monoamine oxidase, exhibited an elevated specific activity on the basis of cell number. However, when based on the amount of protein, the specific activity of all measurable enzymes increased in culture-because cell protein decreased 5 fold during growth to confluency. These findings are discussed with respect to individual cell function.
Reflex tension during sinusoidal movement in gastrocnemius and soleus of decerebrated cat

1. Reflex tension, electromyograph (EMG) and afferent discharges were observed during sinusoidal movement in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of decerebrated cat.2. The amplitude of tension began to decrease at over 9Hz in the gastrocnemius and at over 5Hz in the soleus. The phase angle of reflex tension showed the phase lead at low frequencies and the phase lag at over 14Hz in the gastrocnemius and at over 7Hz in the soleus. The alternate cycle fluctuation of tension was observed at over 22Hz in the gastrocnemius and at over 14Hz in the soleus.3. The phase lead of EMG was amplified with increasing frequency but began to recede at over 8Hz in the gastrocnemius and at over 4Hz in the soleus, while the amplitude of EMG increased. The alternate fluctuation of EMG was seen at the same frequency as the alternate cycle fluctuation of tension.4. The effect of reflex tension on stretch receptors was investigated by simultaneous recording of dorsal rootlet GIa and GIb discharges, reflex tension and EMG. The GIa discharges increased with sinusoidal movement but partial acceleration and pause of the discharges were observed during a cycle. EMG group discharges were seen after the acceleration and during the GIa discharge pause. GIb discharge pause was not seen during a cycle but discharge acceleration was observed after EMG group discharges.5. The shift in the GIb discharge possibly occurring as a result of its own reflex tension suggests that it acts as an inhibitor to successive GIa discharges and may be the cause of the alternate cycle fluctuation of the EMG at high frequencies.6. These results were discussed by introducing the reflex system time lag due to the conduction time of the nerve and the contraction time of the muscle.
Twenty-first century college syllabi: Options for online communication and interactivity

In this study, the World Lecture Hall provided an entry point to examine Web-based syllabi of current college courses offered in schools of education. An initial overview of the course syllabi in the World Lecture Hall, in conjunction with a review of professional literature on the instructional uses of the Internet, led to the creation of a 33 matrix for categorizing the forms of communication and interactivity facilitated by Web-based syllabi. Three participant levels—instructor, students, and practitioners/experts—were crossed with each other to form the matrix. In general, the analysis of the current Web-based syllabi could be characterized by the unidirectional flow of information from instructors to students. A minority of instructors incorporated innovative components that facilitated Web-based learning and interaction outside the conventional classroom. The discussion addresses ways instructors can post more interactive Web syllabi, share course resources, and infuse additional resources into their courses. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Evolution of the differential regulation of duplicate genes after polyploidization.

In the 50 million years since the polyploidization event that gave rise to the catostomid family of fishes the duplicate genes encoding isozymes have undergone different fates. Ample opportunity has been available for regulatory evolution of these duplicate genes. Approximately half the duplicate genes have lost their expressions during this time. Of the duplicate genes remaining, the majority have diverged to different extents in their expression within and among adult tissues. The pattern of divergence of duplicate gene expression is consistent with the accumulation of mutations at regulatory genes. The absence of a correlation of extent of divergence of gene expression with the level of genetic variability for isozymes at these loci is consistent with the view that the rates of regulatory gene and structural gene evolution are uncoupled. The magnitude of divergence of duplicate gene expressions varies among tissues, enzymes, and species. Little correlation was found with the extent of divergence of duplicate gene expression within a species and its degree of morphological “conservatism”, although species pairs which are increasingly taxonomically distant are less likely to share specific patterns of differential gene expression. Probable phylogenetic times of origin of several patterns of differential gene expression have been proposed. Some patterns of differential gene expression have evolved in recent evolutionary times and are specific to one or a few species, whereas at least one pattern of differential gene expression is present in nearly all species and probably arose soon after the polyploidization event. Multilocus isozymes, formed by polyploidization, provide a useful model system for studying the forces responsible for the maintenance of duplicate genes and the evolution of these once identical genes to new spatially and temporally specific patterns of regulation.
INFESTATION OF NORTHERN SPOTTED OWLS BY HIPPOBOSCID (DIPTERA) FLIES IN NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA

Hippoboscid flies were found on 62 (17%) of 382 northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) captured between April and September, 1986 through 1990. Two species of hippoboscids were identified: Icosta americana and Ornithomya anchineuria. Male and female adult spotted owls had similar prevalences and relative densities of hippoboscid flies. Juvenile owls had lower prevalence and relative densities than adults. There were no significant differences in mean intensity of hippoboscids on adult male, adult female and juvenile spotted owls. Relative densities of flies infesting adult owls were significantly greater during years of increased fall temperatures, decreased winter precipitation, and decreased summer temperatures.
Water Vapor Transmission Rates Through Textile Materials as Measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The permeability of small textile samples to water vapor has been evaluated using a conventional DSC cell. The technique enables evaporative rate data to be determined and comparisons made of mater...
Abu Sayyaf: Displays of Violence and the Proliferation of Contested Identities among Philippine Muslims

Violence between and among Christians and Muslims of the southwestern Philippines provides the ethnographic setting for an investigation of Herzfeld's paradox of social indifference. But there is yet another paradox in this case: Why has this 400-year conflict been characterized by a proliferation of contested identities among the insurgents, those who most need to be united? Is this another case of the force of “hegemony,” with the oppressed somehow duped into practices detrimental to their own interests? But how? And by what agency? The Philippine case reveals the challenging complexities of identity construction to be faced in any attempt to reach an understanding of these issues.
The effect of periampullary diverticulum on the outcome of bile duct stone treatment with endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation

Background/Aims: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) causes difficulty in the extraction of common bile duct (CBD) stones with conventional endoscopic therapy. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of PAD on endoscopic large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with/without limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for CBD stone treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of 141 patients treated CBD stones by EPLBD with/without limited EST at Gachon Gil Medical Center from September 2008 to February 2010. PAD were classified into three groups according to the location of the papilla and diverticulum. Clinical parameters, endoscopic parameters, and procedure outcomes were analyzed. Results: PAD were identified in 46.1% (65/141), with 23 male (35.4%) and 42 female (64.6%) and a mean age of 72.9±11.1 years. Mean diameter of the stones was 14.8±6.0 mm and mean diameter of CBD was 21.6±7.7 mm. PAD group was significantly older than control group (72.9 vs. 68.6, p=0.043) and the incidence of large stone (≥15 mm) was higher in PAD group (60.0% vs. 42.1%, p=0.034). Success rate of complete removal of stones in the first session was 32/65 patients (49.2%) and overall successful complete stone removal rates was 63/65 (96.9%). There was no significant difference between the PAD and control groups in success rate. Major complications were similar between two groups. Conclusions: PAD is associated with an increased incidence of large bile duct stones and older age. PAD seems to not increase technical failure rate or complication risk on EPLBD with/without limited EST. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2011;58:201-207)
An Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Audit Fee Structure and Auditor Selection Rights on Auditor Independence and Client Investment Decisions

SUMMARY: This study uses experimental markets to gain insights into the effect of audit fee structure and auditor selection rights on auditor independence and client investment decisions. I find that firm managers are more willing to make a high cost/return investment under a lowballing setting than when auditors are paid a flat rate. Auditor behavior is primarily summarized as a response to past manager choices; when managers are especially willing to invest and honest, auditors perform fewer tests of manager disclosures. I also show that under manager selection, when lowballing exists, auditors initially attribute a higher accuracy to investigations indicating high manager investment than tests that suggest low investment, but the difference in accuracy assessments dissipates with time. Under investor selection, accuracy assessments of test results do not differ according to their outcome. Further analysis indicates that auditor retention under manager selection is negatively impacted by both unreliable...
Passive construction of diagnostic decision models: An empirical evaluation

Bayesian networks have proven their value in solving complex diagnostic problems. The main bottleneck in applying Bayesian networks to diagnosis is model construction. In our earlier work [1], we proposed passive construction of diagnostic models based on observation of diagnosticians solving diagnostic cases. This idea has never been tested in practice. In this paper, we describe an experiment that tests an interactive prototype system called MARILYN on implementation of a system based on passive construction of diagnostic model, by inputting four hundred help desk cases collected at the University of Pittsburgh campus computing lab. We show that while the system's diagnostic accuracy continues to increase with the number of cases, it reaches very reasonable levels after merely tens of cases.
A Practical Guide to Harmonic Frequency Interference Affecting High-Voltage Power-Line Carrier Coupling Systems

Power-line carrier (PLC) systems have proven to be susceptible to interference caused by harmonics produced by loads, such as HVDC converters, DC electric arc furnaces, static var compensators, and motor speed controllers. Previous work in this area has provided information regarding the nature and origin of harmonic frequency interference affecting PLC systems as well as discussion of problem mitigation. However, the information provided in this area is contained within a number of works. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to summarize previous work in this area with the intent of providing a single and practically useful resource for field engineers and others responsible for the operation and maintenance of PLC systems used for communication over high-voltage transmission lines. Information provided includes a description of the nature and origin of harmonic frequency interference in PLC coupling systems, including field measurements. Susceptibility of different coupling systems to harmonic frequency interference is discussed. Methods for mitigating interference are also provided, including an example of interference mitigation on an actual coupling system on a 230-kV line. Finally, a relationship between harmonic frequency interference and standard harmonic distortion limits is discussed.
Poverty, technology, and wildlife hunting in Palawan

Tropical forest destruction jeopardizes wildlife habitat. In many countries, hunting by low-income households also poses a direct threat to many species. This paper reports a study of the wildlife hunting practices of an indigenous cultural community in the Philippine province of Palawan. A survey of hunting practices was conducted among farmers living along the forest margin. The survey collected information on hunting frequency, hunting techniques, and species hunted. These data were combined with household income and demographic data to learn how socioeconomic factors influence hunting patterns and practices. Descriptive statistical procedures and regression analysis show that hunting pressure during the study period was typically greatest among resource-poor households. Poor households used the widest range of hunting implements, including modern implements such as air rifles, and low living standards were associated with greater hunting effort. Households with small farms were more likely to hunt, and were also more likely to expend greater hunting effort. Hunting was a supplementary source of food acquisition for most farmers and was found to be inferior to agricultural production, in the sense that households with large farms tended to hunt less often than households with small farms. Indirect evidence suggests that higher population pressure correlates positively with hunting pressure, and that non-agricultural employment negatively correlates with hunting probability and intensity.
Role of cilia in structural birth defects: Insights from ciliopathy mutant mouse models

Structural birth defect (SBD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn period. Although the etiology of SBD is diverse, a wide spectrum of SBD associated with ciliopathies points to the cilium as having a central role in the pathogenesis of SBDs. Ciliopathies are human diseases arising from disruption of cilia structure and/or function. They are associated with developmental anomalies in one or more organ systems and can involve defects in motile cilia, such as those in the airway epithelia or from defects in nonmotile (primary cilia) that have sensory and cell signaling function. Availability of low cost next generation sequencing has allowed for explosion of new knowledge in genetic etiology of ciliopathies. This has led to the appreciation that many genes are shared in common between otherwise clinically distinct ciliopathies. Further insights into the relevance of the cilium in SBD has come from recovery of pathogenic mutations in cilia-related genes from many large-scale mouse forward genetic screens with differing developmental phenotyping focus. Our mouse mutagenesis screen for congenital heart disease (CHD) using noninvasive fetal echocardiography has yielded a marked enrichment for pathogenic mutations in genes required for motile or primary cilia function. These novel mutant mouse models will be invaluable for modeling human ciliopathies and further interrogating the role of the cilium in the pathogenesis of SBD and CHD. Overall, these findings suggest a central role for the cilium in the pathogenesis of a wide spectrum of developmental anomalies associated with CHD and SBDs.
Mapping the similarity space of paintings: Image statistics and visual perception

What makes two images look similar? Here we test the hypothesis that perceived similarity of artwork is related to basic image statistics to which the early visual system is attuned. In two experiments, we employ multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis of paired-image similarity ratings from observers for paintings. Two sets of images, classified as ‘‘landscapes’’ and ‘‘portraits/still-life’’, are tested separately. For the landscapes, we find that one of the first two MDS scales of similarity is strongly correlated with a basic greyscale image statistic, whereas the other dimension can be accounted for by a semantic variable (representation of people). For portrait/still-life, the first two MDS scales of similarity are most highly correlated with semantic variables. Linear combinations of statistical and nonstatistical features achieve improved predictive values for the first two MDS scales for both sets. The statistics that play the largest role in shaping similarity judgements in our tests are the activity fraction measure of sparseness and the log-log slope of the spatial frequency amplitude spectrum. We discuss these results in the context of scene perception and in terms of efficient coding of statistical regularities in scenes.
COOPERATIVE FLUCTUATIONS AND SUBUNIT COMMUNICATION IN TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHASE

Tryptophan synthase (TRPS), with linearly arrayed subunits R‚‚R, catalyzes the last two reactions in the biosynthesis of L-tryptophan. The two reactions take place in the respective R- and ‚-subunits of the enzyme, and the intermediate product, indole, is transferred from the R -t o the‚-site through a 25 A long hydrophobic tunnel. The occurrence of a unique ligand-mediated long-range cooperativity for substrate channeling, and a quest to understand the mechanism of allosteric control and coordination in metabolic cycles, have motivated many experimental studies on the structure and catalytic activity of the TRPS R2‚2 complex and its mutants. The dynamics of these complexes are analyzed here using a simple but rigorous theoretical approach, the Gaussian network model. Both wild-type and mutant structures, in the unliganded and various liganded forms, are considered. The substrate binding site in the ‚-subunit is found to be closely coupled to a group of hinge residues (‚77-‚89 and ‚376-‚379) near the ‚-‚ interface. These residues simultaneously control the anticorrelated motion of the two ‚-subunits, and the opening or closing of the hydrophobic tunnel. The latter process is achieved by the large amplitude fluctuations of the so-called COMM domain in the same subunit. Intersubunit communications are strengthened in the presence of external aldimines bound to the ‚-site. The motions of the COMM core residues are coordinated with those of the R-‚ hinge residues ‚174-‚179 on the interfacial helix ‚H6 at the entrance of the hydrophobic tunnel. And the motions of ‚H6 are coupled, via helix ‚H1 and RL6, to those of the loop RL2 that includes the R-subunit catalytically active residue Asp60. Overall, our analysis sheds light on the molecular machinery underlying subunit communication, and identifies the residues playing a key role in the cooperative transmission of conformational motions across the two reaction sites.
Effectiveness and spillover of an after-school health promotion program for Hispanic elementary school children.

Objectives. We evaluated the effectiveness and spillover of an after-school health education and physical activity program among Hispanic elementary school children.Methods. In fall 2008, students in third through fifth grades in 6 schools in El Paso, Texas (n = 901), were randomized to intervention (n = 292 participants) or control (n = 354) classrooms (4 unknown). Intervention classrooms also contained a spillover group (n = 251) that did not join the after-school program but that completed measurements and surveys. The intervention was a 12-week culturally tailored after-school program meeting twice a week. Four-month outcomes were body mass index, aerobic capacity, and dietary intentions and knowledge. We calculated intervention exposure as the proportion of after-school participants per classroom.Results. Intervention exposure predicted lower body mass index (P = .045), higher aerobic capacity (P = .012), and greater intentions to eat healthy (P = .046) for the classroom at follow-up. Intervention ef...
Decreased Expression of Colonic Slc26a3 and Carbonic Anhydrase IV as a Cause of Fatal Infectious Diarrhea in Mice

Citrobacter rodentium causes epithelial hyperplasia and colitis and is used as a model for enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infections. Little or no mortality develops in most inbred strains of mice, but C3H and FVB/N mice exhibit fatal outcomes of infection. Here we test the hypothesis that decreased intestinal transport activity during C. rodentium infection results in fatality in C3H/HeOu and FVB/N mice. Susceptible strains were compared to resistant C57BL/6 mice and to inbred strains SWR and SJL of Swiss origin, which have not been previously characterized for outcomes of C. rodentium infection. Mortality in susceptible strains C3H/HeOu and FVB/N was associated with significant fluid loss in feces, a remarkable downregulation of Slc26a3 and carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) message and protein expression, retention of chloride in stool, and hypochloremia, suggesting defects in intestinal chloride absorption. SWR, SJL, and C57BL/6 mice were resistant and survived the infection. Fluid therapy fully prevented mortality in C3H/HeOu and FVB/N mice without affecting clinical disease. Common pathogenic mechanisms, such as decreased levels of expression of Slc26a3 and CAIV, affect intestinal ion transport in C. rodentium-infected FVB and C3H mice, resulting in profound electrolyte loss, dehydration, and mortality. Intestinal chloride absorption pathways are likely a potential target for the treatment of infectious diarrhea.
Optimal Policy for a Periodic-Review Inventory System Under a Supply Capacity Contract

Transportation and production contracts often specify the frequency and volume reserved by the supplier for a particular customer's deliveries. This practice motivated Henig et al. (Henig, M., Y. Gerchak, R. Ernst, D. Pyke. 1997. An inventory model embedded in designing a supply contract. Management Sci.43 184--189) to study a periodic-review inventory-control model where ordering cost is zero if the order quantity does not exceed a given contract volume and is linear in the excess quantity otherwise. This paper addresses the same problem but with a fixed cost if the order quantity is above the contract volume. The fixed cost may represent the cost of disruption for the supplier (finding more trucks, arranging extra processing capacity, persuading other customers to wait, etc.) as well as additional administrative costs. Also, suppliers may impose such costs simply to induce desired behavior by buyers. This order-cost function is neither convex nor concave. The classical inventory models with fixed costs are special cases with contract volume zero. We partially characterize the optimal policy for this system and develop a simple, effective heuristic policy. We also apply the model to a production-control problem in which an incentive is provided for not ordering over a certain quota.
Integrating cell-cycle progression, drug penetration and energy metabolism to identify improved cancer therapeutic strategies.

The effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs in tumors is reduced by multiple effects including drug diffusion and variable susceptibility of local cell populations. We hypothesized that quantifying the interactions between drugs and tumor microenvironments could be used to identify more effective anti-cancer strategies. To test this hypothesis we created a mathematical model that integrated intracellular metabolism, nutrient and drug diffusion, cell-cycle progression, cellular drug effects, and drug pharmacokinetics. To our knowledge, this is the first model that combines these elements and has coupled them to experimentally derived parameters. Drug cytotoxicity was assumed to be cell-cycle phase specific, and progression through the cell cycle was assumed to be dependent on ATP generation. The model consisted of a coupled set of nonlinear partial differential, ordinary differential and algebraic equations with an outer free boundary, which was solved using orthogonal collocation on a moving grid of finite elements. Model simulations showed the existence of an optimum drug diffusion coefficient: a low diffusivity prevents effective penetration before the drug is cleared from the blood and a high diffusivity limits drug retention. This result suggests that increasing the molecular weight of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel from 854 to approximately 20,000 by nano-particle conjugation would improve its efficacy. The simulations also showed that fast growing tumors are less responsive to therapy than are slower tumors with more quiescent cells, demonstrating the competing effects of regrowth and cytotoxicity. The therapeutic implications of the simulation results are that 1) monolayer cultures are inadequate for accurately determining therapeutic effects in vitro, 2) decreasing the diffusivity of paclitaxel could increase its efficacy, and 3) measuring the proliferation fraction in tumors could enhance the prediction of therapeutic efficacy.
Identifying and defining the activities of participant direction programs: A document analysis

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1044207313502538
Stationary video camera auto-exposure conditioning

Video conferencing without controlled lighting suffers from the spurious automatic exposure (AE) errors commonly seen in webcams. These errors cause problems for the subsequent processing and compression. For example, since video encoders do not model intensity changes, these AE errors in turn cause severe blocking artifacts. We develop a pixel-domain AE conditioning algorithm for stationary cameras that: 1) effectively reduces spurious AE changes, resulting in natural and artifact-free video; 2) allows maximum compatibility with third party components (may be transparently inserted between any camera driver and encoder/video processing engine); and 3) is fast and requires little memory. This algorithm allows inexpensive cameras to provide higher quality video conferencing. We describe the algorithm, analyze its performance exactly for a specific video source model and validate its performance experimentally using captured video.
Intersectionality’s will toward social transformation

In an 1831 pamphlet, Maria Stewart, a free black woman living in Boston, holistically criticized the US system of slavery in terms that identified racial, economic, and gendered elements of the sys...
Sample Organization of a Predictive Analysis

This flow-chart demonstrates the step-by-step process of predictive analysis for law students. It starts with a Thesis Section providing the big picture, includes “givens” or assumptions of any large-scale rules that apply and provides a roadmap of disputed issues on the large-scale rules. From there it moves to the individual issues and conclusions; mini-thesis, individual rule development; application, analysis and counter-analysis leading to the large scale conclusion.This flow-chart will be presented at the 15th Biennial Conference of the Legal Writing Institute (Palm Desert, CA) on June 1, 2012.
Fragmented Users of Crime Predictions

In this commentary on an article by Henderson, Wolfers, and Zitzewitz, proposing the use of open markets for the prediction of crime, I explore a few implications stemming from one fact. The prediction market concept — an effort to coordinate decentralized sources of information — would operate in an exceptionally decentralized world of users, a world where the institutional users of crime predictions are fragmented among many different locations and levels of government. The social response to crime in the United States today still remains quite decentralized. Fragmented local institutions, especially police departments and prosecutors’ offices, would find it difficult to use crime prediction markets. Henderson, Wolfers, and Zitzewitz have envisioned the sellers in their markets more carefully than the buyers of predictions. The majority of the potential users operate in fragmented local institutions, surrounded by thin markets that are not likely to generate reliable predictions. A smaller number of purchasers, such as state-level correctional authorities, would use markets to overcome the greatest information challenge at the higher level: coordinating input from many incompatible sources. I close by noting that a few actors at the local level — in particular, sentencing judges — combine features of fragmented and centralized users. The ability of local actors to use far-flung crime data poses the question of whether markets at the case level would be either appealing or possible.
Overview of multimodality motion tracking for training of central venous catheter placement

Central Venous Catheter (CVC) placement is a common surgical procedure, with an estimated 400,000 complications every year in the United States (Raad 1998). There are mechanical complications related to arterial puncture and pneumothorax derived from improper technique. The lack of correct and repetitive training on central line placement is considered a key factor in these complications. This paper presents and overviews three state-of-the-art human tracking technologies to determine movements of the physician's head and hands as well as surgical instruments in order to provide a method for performance assessment while performing a CVC placement on a hybrid simulator.
In Situ Measurement of pH Under High Pressure

In situ measurement of pH under high pressure is complicated by the need to remain functional under extreme pressures, electrically noisy environments, and the difficulty in inferring chemical equilibrium conditions under pressure. We describe a pH sensor wherein the current flowing at a given input voltage is directly related to hydrogen ion concentration and can be operated within extreme environments. The sensor was tested at 25 °C for in situ pH measurement of several buffer solutions under high pressure up to 784.6 MPa. We found generally an increase in the acidity of the buffer solutions with increasing pressure. In all cases, pH changes were found to be less than predicted using inferred reaction volume data from the literature. Sensor response and pH changes were found to be completely reversible upon depressurization at the same temperature.
Growth Increments of the Barnacle Balanus Amphitrite Amphitrite Darwin (Cirripedia)

ABSTRACT The microstructure and mineral growth increments of juvenile barnacles have been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Specimens were reared in the laboratory under uniform conditions of day-length and temperature and were provided with food in amounts that were not growth-limiting. Growth increments were produced synchronously in the wall plates, scuta, and alae. In scuta, growth involved the deposition of many linear units, minor ridges, within a single growth increment. The size and number of scutal growth increments of 25-day-old barnacles raised under identical culture conditions showed variability. Increments of the radius were composed of a layer of parallel needlelike crystals. By growing laterally, the crystals of the radius strengthen the junction between the wall plates. The period required to form an increment in the scuta was 1.3-1.8 days and the number of increments increased linearly with age. It appears that a mechanism(s) other than environmental rhythmicity is responsible for incremental skeletal growth in barnacles that have experienced only constant culture conditions.
CULTURAL INHERITANCE OF SONG AND ITS ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF DARWIN'S FINCHES

Songs of Darwin's finches were studied on the Galapagos Island of Daphne Major from 1976 to 1995. A single, structurally simple, and unvarying song is sung throughout life by each male of the two common species, Geospiza fortis (medium ground finch) and G. scandens (cactus finch). Songs of the two species differ strongly in quantitative features, and individual variation among males is much broader in G. fortis than in G. scandens. Although there are exceptions, songs of sons strongly resemble the songs of their fathers. They also resemble the songs of their paternal grandfathers, but not their maternal grandfathers, indicating that they are culturally inherited and not genetically inherited. Female G. fortis display a tendency to avoid mating with males that sing the same type of song as their father. They also avoid mating with males that sing heterospecific song, with very rare exceptions. Thus song, an evolving, culturally inherited trait, is an important factor in species recognition and mate choice. It constrains the mating of females to conspecifics, even when there is no genetic penalty to interbreeding, and thus may play a crucial role in species formation by promoting genetic isolation on secondary contact. The barrier is leaky in that occasional errors in song transmission result in misimprinting, which leads to a low incidence of hybridization and introgression. Introgression slows the rate of postzygotic isolation, but can produce individuals in novel genetic and morphological space that can provide the starting point of a new evolutionary trajectory.
Interaction Between Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil Feeding and Foliar Disease: Impact on Yield and Quality in Alfalfa

Benomyl and carbofuran were used to minimize alfalfa defoliation by foliar disease, mainly common leafspot caused by Pseudopeziza medicaginis (Lib.) Sacc., and by larval feeding of Hypera brunneipennis (Boheman). First cutting forage yield was increased 11% with weevil control. 18% with disease suppression, and 26% when both pests were suppressed or controlled. Premature leaf abscission was markedly reduced in plots where disease was suppressed, resulting in a significant increase in leaf biomass, Benomyl had no adverse effect on the larvae, and populations in these plots were not significantly different from those in the untreated check. There was no difference in percent protein or percent modified crude fiber among any of the treatments. Defoliation by larval feeding and foliar disease was confined to the 1st crop. Second cutting yields were not significantly different, indicating that neither common leaf spot infection nor weevil feeding prior to the 1st cutting caused stunting or loss of vigor to the 2nd crop.
Coarse grained molecular dynamics of engineered macromolecules for the inhibition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake by macrophage scavenger receptors.

Atherosclerosis is a condition resulting from the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) in arterial walls. Previously developed macromolecules consisting of alkyl chains and po...
Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems

The IS 2010 report is the latest output from model curriculum work for Information Systems (IS) that began in the early 1970s. Prior to this current effort, the most recent version of the IS undergraduate model curriculum is IS 2002 (Gorgone et al., 2003), published in early 2003. IS 2002 was a relatively minor update of IS'97 (Davis et al., 1997). Both IS 2002 and IS '97 were joint efforts by ACM, AIS, and DPMA/AITP (Data Processing Management Association/ Association of Information Technology Professionals). IS'97 was preceded by DPMA'90 (Longenecker and Feinstein 1991) and ACM Curriculum Recommendations 1983 (ACM 1983) and 1973 (Couger 1973). IS 2002 has been widely accepted and it has also been the basis for accreditation of undergraduate programs of Information Systems. This report represents the combined effort of numerous individuals and reflects the interests of thousands of faculty and practitioners. It is grounded in the expected requirements of industry, represents the views of organizations employing the graduates, and is supported by other IS-related organizations.
Optimum design of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with graded porosity gas diffusion layer

Abstract Variation in the local current density along a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell often causes sharp temperature and stress gradients that affect the membrane durability and service life of fuel cells. Towards minimizing the variation in local current density, and potentially improving fuel cell reliability, this paper explores the use of functionally graded porosity in the gas diffusion electrode layers along the flow direction. A computational model for fuel cell is used together with a numerical optimization method to determine the optimum porosity distribution along the length of the channel, with the objective of maximizing power density while limiting the current density variation. The optimum porosity distribution and the corresponding local current density distribution are compared and discussed in detail for different operating conditions. Experimental studies are conducted to measure the local current density distribution in a fuel cell with a segmented current collector and to evaluate the effects of graded porosity distribution in the gas diffusion layer. It is shown that use of an optimally graded porosity distribution improves the uniformity in current density along the length of the channel by up to a factor of 10, while maximizing the power density.
Novel therapeutic strategies in myelodysplastic syndromes: do molecular genetics help?

Purpose of review Many studies over the past decade have together identified genes that are recurrently mutated in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We will summarize how this information has informed our understanding of disease pathogenesis and behavior, with an emphasis on how this information may inform therapeutic strategies. Recent findings Genomic sequencing techniques have allowed for the identification of many recurrently mutated genes in MDS, with the most common mutations being found in epigenetic modifiers and components of the splicing machinery. Although many mutations are associated with clinical outcomes and disease phenotypes, at the current time they add relatively little to already robust clinical prognostic algorithms. However, as molecular genetic data are accumulated in larger numbers of patients, it is likely that the clinical significance of co-occurring mutations and less common mutations will come to light. Finally, mutated genes may identify biologically distinct subgroups of MDS that may benefit from novel therapies, and a subset of these genes may themselves serve as therapeutic targets. Summary Advances in our knowledge of the molecular genetics of MDS have significantly improved our understanding of disease biology and promise to improve tools for clinical decision-making and identify new therapies for patients.
Angiosarcoma at the site of nonfunctioning arteriovenous fistula in a kidney transplant recipient

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the endothelial cells of blood vessels or lymphatics. We report a case of a 46-year-old male patient with a kidney transplant who developed epithelioid angiosarcoma at the site of a nonfunctioning arteriovenous fistula in the antecubital fossa 3 years after renal transplantation. The patient had skin, soft tissue, and bone metastasis on presentation. He died of systemic metastasis with respiratory failure.
"Second or Successive" Habeas Petitions and Late-Ripening Claims after Panetti v Quarterman

The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 19961 (AEDPA) provides that, except in narrow circumstances, "second or successive" petitions for writs of habeas corpus must be dismissed.2 Some valid constitutional claims, however, do not become ripe until after the prisoner has been convicted and sentenced, and perhaps af ter one habeas petition has been presented and denied on the merits. AEDPA's "gatekeeping" provisions-codified at 28 USC ? 2244(b) have the potential to foreclose review of meritorious constitutional claims, and a division in the circuit courts has developed over their interpretation. One set of courts takes a "liberal" approach, focusing on pre-AEDPA common law principles and erring on the side of al lowing claims. Another set takes a more rigorous textual and struc tural tack, which is appealing on an interpretive level but has the po tential to prevent judicial review of constitutional violations. The Su preme Court has recently addressed a limited aspect of this question, and it applied the liberal approach with a pragmatist flourish. All of these approaches suffer from serious shortcomings, and this Comment argues that the textual interpretation should be followed except in certain circumstances in which that interpretation would foreclose review of a possible constitutional violation. In this scenario, courts should invoke the canon of constitutional avoidance to prevent violat ing the underlying constitutional right that the prisoner seeks to vindi cate through a writ of habeas corpus. In short, this Comment focuses on a very particular question, but one that could be of great import. Imagine a prisoner petitions a fed eral court for a writ of habeas corpus, and the petition is duly adjudi cated on the merits. If she files again, this time including a claim that was unripe at the time of the earlier petition and thus not included, must the chronologically second petition be dismissed as "second or
Performance Assessment of Image Translation-engineered Point Spread Functions

We demonstrate image translation, a general method for task-dependent point spread function engineering. Here, we compare the optical performance of variations of image translation with several well known imaging methods.
Die Wasserdampf-Kältemaschine

Die Verwendung von Wasser als Kaltetrager fuhrt zu eigenartigen Verhaltnissen, weshalb diese Maschine gesondert betrachtet werden soll.
Deletion of calponin 2 in macrophages attenuates the severity of inflammatory arthritis in mice

Calponin is an actin cytoskeleton-associated protein that regulates motility-based cellular functions. Three isoforms of calponin are present in vertebrates, among which calponin 2 encoded by the C...
Reviewing the Reviews: Examining Similarities and Differences Between Federally Funded Evidence Reviews.

Background:The federal government’s emphasis on supporting the implementation of evidence-based programs has fueled a need to conduct and assess rigorous evaluations of programs. Through partnerships with researchers, policy makers, and practitioners, evidence reviews—projects that identify, assess, and summarize existing research in a given area—play an important role in supporting the quality of these evaluations and how the findings are used. These reviews encourage the use of sound scientific principles to identify, select, and implement evidence-based programs. The goals and standards of each review determine its conclusions about whether a given evaluation is of high quality or a program is effective. It can be difficult for decision makers to synthesize the body of evidence when faced with results from multiple program evaluations.Sample:This study examined 14 federally funded evidence reviews to identify commonalities and differences in their assessments of evidence of effectiveness.Findings:There...
The Mine Sealing Program on the Ohio River Watershed

With the change in America within the last fifty years from a rural to an industrial nation, many resultant effects have occurred on our streams. Pittsburgh constitutes one of the great industrial centers of America and here at the junction of the two main tributary streams of the Ohio River, the Monongahela and Alleghany Rivers, we see the results of industrialism, and of the extensive coal mining of northern West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. In 1899, according to investigations of Allen Hazen, neither the Monongahela or the Youghiogheny Rivers showed evidence of acidity. In 1931, Chester F. Drake, Superintendent of Filtration at the Aspinwall Filtration Plant of Pittsburgh in a most exhaustive report at the American Water Works Association on acid mine drainage, summed up the progressive deterioration of these streams with acid mine drainage wastes. This type of industrial waste constitutes the greatest and most menacing of all our stream pollution in this section of the country. Pennsylvania and West Virginia together produce more than 60 percent of the bituminous coal mined in the United States and in 1930 Pennsylvania produced 123,417,850 net tons of coal. West Virginia in that year produced 122,429,767 net tons of coal. The Monongahela River runs acid most of the year and the Alleghany River is rapidly tending toward an acid condition. The abandonment, temporarily and probably permanently, of large acreages of coal in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia due to the depression has given an opportunity to these states to apply on a large scale certain principles of acid mine drainage control by airsealing abandoned mines never before attempted. This has been done as a part of the President's recovery program by federal and state cooperation of public health services. Mr. Edward C. Trax in charge of water purification at McKeesport,
Antiepilepsy drugs and the immune system

Abstract Objective To alert physicians about the peculiar adverse effects of antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) on the immune system. Data Sources PubMed literature during the past 25 years. Study Selections Reports and review articles on the hypersensitivities of AEDs and their effect on immunity. Results AEDs have significant effects on the immune system in the form of hypersensitivity or immune suppression. IgE-mediated reactions can be urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm, or anaphylaxis. Non–IgE-mediated reactions, more commonly associated with aromatic AEDs, can be in the form of nonspecific rashes or serious reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptom syndrome, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Because of strong genetic predispositions for certain AEDs in causing severe reactions, HLA analysis before initiation of the drug is advised in certain populations. Immunoglobulin levels can be reduced to various degrees, particularly by carbamazepine, valproate, phenytoin, levetiracetam, zonisamide, and lamotrigine. Spontaneous return to normal levels can be rapid or take months to a few years, and intravenous immunoglobulin supplementation may be needed. Cellular effects can be in the form of cytopenias, inhibition of lymphocyte function, or cytokine dysregulation. Conclusion When prescribing AEDs, physicians should pay special attention to their potential adverse effects on immunity or hypersensitivity, which can be severe and even fatal. For early recognition and intervention, monitoring such patients is necessary. The cornerstone of management is discontinued use of the suspected medication and avoidance of drugs of similar structure, particularly among members of the aromatic group.