cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Side chains at the membrane-water interface modulate the signaling state of a transmembrane receptor.

Previous model studies of peptides and proteins have shown that protein−lipid interactions, primarily involving amino acid side chains near the membrane−water interface, modulate the position of transmembrane helices in bilayers. The present study examines whether such interfacial side chains stabilize the signaling states of a transmembrane signaling helix in a representative receptor, the aspartate receptor of bacterial chemotaxis. To examine the functional roles of signaling helix side chains at the periplasmic and cytoplasmic membrane−water interfaces, arginine and cysteine substitutions were scanned through these two interfacial regions. The chemical reactivities of the cysteine residues were first measured to determine the positions at which the helix crosses the membrane−water interface in both the periplasmic and cytoplasmic compartments. Subsequently, two antisymmetric in vitro activity measurements were carried out to determine the effect of each interfacial arginine or cysteine substitution on ...
Temperature and wind measurements and model atmospheres of the 1989 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition

The ER-2 Meteorological Measurement System provides accurate in situ measurements of atmospheric state variables. During the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) the ER-2 flew over the polar region on 14 occasions in January and February, 1989. Vertical temperature profiles, during aircraft takeoff at about 60 deg N and during midflight descent and ascent at high latitudes, are presented. Latitudinal variations of the horizontal wind measurement are illustrated and discussed. Based on observation data, model atmospheres at 60 deg and 75 deg N, representative of the environment of the AASE campaign, are developed.
CUTBACK BUDGETING IN FLORIDA: CAUSES, APPROACHES, AND CONSEQUENCES

Structural and cyclical causes of cutbacks in Florida state budgets include growing school enrollment and population; the state's corrections policy and Medicaid spending; an inelastic tax structure coupled with an anti-tax political culture; and federal mandates, aid reduction, and court decisions. Given these stresses, the 1989 recession and resulting revenue shortfalls triggered a series of adjustments to the budget made up of quick fixes, tax increases, and spending cuts. These actions did not address the structural causes of the shortfall. Thus, Florida emerged from the 1989 recession in a weakened financial condition, with an unreformed revenue structure unable to keep up with economic growth, a public service less able to respond to the increased demands for service created by structural factors outside the state's control, and a physical infrastructure and human capital unprepared to compete in a global economy. The result is long-term fiscal stress.
Carcinoma of the oral pharynx: an analysis of subsite treatment heterogeneity

The data indicate that SCC of the various subsites of the oropharynx can be treated successfully with acceptable locoregional control and survival rates by using either surgery or primary radiotherapy for TI or T2 primary lesions. Treatment success data for late-stage disease (T3 and T4) are less encouraging. regardless of which modality is used or which treatment center is administering treatment. This finding may suggest an intrinsic property of these lesions or the patient that may be going unnoticed.One problem is that the diversity of approaches to these lesions hinders any meaningful comparisons between series from different treatment centers. There exists heterogeneity in patient populations and approaches to staging and characterization of these diseases. This situation has ensured the same heterogeneity in treatment philosophy, which is largely institutionally based.
The Seven Cs: A Behavioral Systems Framework for Evaluating Marital Distress:

The authors have developed a basic, easily learned behavioral systems framework from which to conceptualize, evaluate, and plan treatment for distressed couples. This article describes the seven Cs of marriage primarily from conceptual and evaluation perspectives and is written for beginning therapists who work with couples. The seven Cs is a clear and heuristic model for understanding couple functioning, as well as an effective framework for presenting treatment-planning feedback to the couple. A brief overview of behavioral systems marital therapy and an outline of seven Cs based interventions are included.
Development of a spontaneously beating vein by cardiomyocyte transplantation in the wall of the inferior vena cava in a rat: a pilot study.

Purpose This study was conducted to determine whether it is feasible to develop a vein that rhythmically beats by implanting immature cardiomyocytes in its wall. Methods Neonatal cardiomyocytes (5 × 10 6 cells each) were transplanted into the wall of the inferior vena cava in six female Fischer rats; in six rats, only the medium was transplanted. At 3 weeks after transplantation, the grafted site of the inferior vena cava was exposed and videotaped, and then processed for histology. Results Distinct rhythmic beating of the vena cava at the site of cell injection (at a rate lower than aortic beating) was observed in all six rats treated with neonatal cardiomyocyte injections, but in none of the six that received the medium. The vena cava continued to beat spontaneously and rhythmically after the aortas were clamped and after the heart was excised. The beating was manifest by visual contraction and relaxation of the vessel wall. The spontaneous beating rate was 101 ± 7 beats/min at 1 to 3 minutes after excision of the heart. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed viable grafts in the wall of the vena cava in all that were implanted with neonatal cardiac cells; but in none of the vena cava that received the medium. Neonatal cardiomyocytes in the graft matured with cross striations and stained positive for the muscle marker sarcomeric actin. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that neonatal cardiomyocytes survive, mature, and spontaneously and rhythmically contract when implanted in the wall of a vein.
Current Distribution at a Disk Electrode during a Current Pulse

The spatio-temporal evolution of the current distribution at a disk electrode during a current pulse has been examined within the mathematical formalism introduced by NisancioŽlu and Newman[J. Electrochem. Soc., 120, 1339 (1973)]. Under conditions in which the disk electrode-electrolyte interface can be represented by a capacitor (double layer) in parallel with a resistor (linearized faradaic process), the dominant contribution to the total disk current density, i T , immediately following application of the current step, is capacitive, i C . During this period, both i C and the significantly smaller faradaic component of i T , i F , are highly nonuniform over the disk surface, attaining maximum values at its edge. At longer times, i C decreases and i F increases, becoming the only contribution to i T when steady state is reached. Upon current interruption, the charged interface relaxes via two distinct pathways: a faradaic shorting of the double layer and a redistribution of the charge stored in the interfacial capacitor, which, for the electrolyte plate, generates current loops extending far into the solution that terminate near the edge of the disk electrode. This zero total current condition across the entire electrode leads to the development of a concentric ring, where i C and i F are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign, which propagates toward the center of the disk as steady state is approached.
Virtual interactive presence and augmented reality (VIPAR) for remote surgical assistance.

Background Surgery is a highly technical field that combines continuous decision-making with the coordination of spatiovisual tasks. Objective We designed a virtual interactive presence and augmented reality (VIPAR) platform that allows a remote surgeon to deliver real-time virtual assistance to a local surgeon, over a standard Internet connection. Methods The VIPAR system consisted of a "local" and a "remote" station, each situated over a surgical field and a blue screen, respectively. Each station was equipped with a digital viewpiece, composed of 2 cameras for stereoscopic capture, and a high-definition viewer displaying a virtual field. The virtual field was created by digitally compositing selected elements within the remote field into the local field. The viewpieces were controlled by workstations mutually connected by the Internet, allowing virtual remote interaction in real time. Digital renderings derived from volumetric MRI were added to the virtual field to augment the surgeon's reality. For demonstration, a fixed-formalin cadaver head and neck were obtained, and a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and pterional craniotomy were performed under the VIPAR system. Results The VIPAR system allowed for real-time, virtual interaction between a local (resident) and remote (attending) surgeon. In both carotid and pterional dissections, major anatomic structures were visualized and identified. Virtual interaction permitted remote instruction for the local surgeon, and MRI augmentation provided spatial guidance to both surgeons. Camera resolution, color contrast, time lag, and depth perception were identified as technical issues requiring further optimization. Conclusion Virtual interactive presence and augmented reality provide a novel platform for remote surgical assistance, with multiple applications in surgical training and remote expert assistance.
Electronic Cigarettes Are a Source of Thirdhand Exposure to Nicotine

Introduction: Substances remaining on the surfaces in areas where people have smoked contrib­ ute to thirdhand exposure. Nicotine from tobacco smoke has been shown to react with oxidizing chemicals in the air to form secondary pollutants, such as carcinogenic nitrosamines. While prev­ ious studies have demonstrated thirdhand exposure to nicotine from tobacco smoke, none have investigated whether nicotine from electronic cigarettes (e­cigarettes) can also be deposited on various surfaces. Methods: Three brands of e­cigarettes were refilled with varying nicotine concentrations. We released 100 puffs from each product directly into an exposure chamber. Surface wipe samples were taken from 5 indoor 100 cm 2 surfaces (window, walls, floor, wood, and metal) pre ­ and post­release of vapors. Nicotine was extracted from the wipes and was analyzed using gas chromatography. Results: Three of the 4 experiments showed significant increases in the amount of nicotine on all five surfaces. The floor and glass windows had the greatest increases in nicotine, on average by a factor of 47 and 6, respectively (p < .05). The average amount of nicotine deposited on a floor dur ­ ing each experiment was 205 μg/m 2 and varied from limit of quantitation to 550 μg/m 2 . Conclusions: This study indicates that there is a risk for thirdhand exposure to nicotine from e­ciga­ rettes. Thirdhand exposure levels differ depending on the surface and the e­cigarette brand. Future research should explore the potential risks of thirdhand exposure to carcinogens formed from the nicotine that is released from e­cigarettes.
Forager size and ecology of Acromyrmex coronatus and other leaf-cutting ants in Costa Rica

I compare forager size and foraging ecology of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex coronatus (Fabricius) with published data on three other leaf-cutter species in Costa Rica, Atta cephalotes (L.), Acromyrmex octospinosus (Reich), and Acromyrmex volcanus Wheeler. Intra-and interspecific differences in forager size in these leaf-cutting ants appear to reflect the economics of harvesting different preferred resources. Ac. coronatus colonies have relatively small foragers (mean mass=3.4±1.4 mg) that cut almost exclusively the thin, soft leaves and other parts of small herbaceous plants. Similarly, small A. cephalotes colonies have small foragers (3.3±1.0 mg) that attack the leaves of small herbaceous plants. In contrast, mature A. cephalotes colonies have a wider sizerange of foragers (7.3±4.1 mg) that primarily attack the leaves of trees, with larger foragers cutting thicker, tougher leaves. In A. cephalotes, the match of forager size to leaf type (both ontogenetically and behaviorally) increases foraging efficiency. Extreme forager polymorphism in mature A. cephalotes colonies appears to broaden the diversity of tree species that they can exploit efficiently. Ac. octospinosus and Ac. volcanus both have large, relatively monomorphic foragers (13.3±4.2 mg and 30.6±4.3 mg, respectively) that typically scavenge for pieces of fallen vegetation, such as dead leaves, fruit, and flowers, in addition to cutting herbs. The large foragers of Ac. octospinosus and Ac. volcanus appear to be well suited as generalist foragers, able to cut or collect any desirable vegetation encountered. Ac. coronatus is similar to A. cephalotes in other ways. Both Ac. coronatus and A. cephalotes establish and maintain cleared trunk trails for foraging, and both have minima workers that “hitchhike” on the loads carried by foragers, apparently serving to protect the larger foragers from attack by phorid flies. Trunk trails and hitchhikers are not known for Ac. octospinosus and Ac. volcanus. That A. coronatus and A. cephalotes show little overlap in geographic distribution within Costa Rica may relate both to differences in habitat requirements and to interspecific competition.
Aminoaldehyde dehydrogenases from a Pseudomonas species grown on polyamines

Abstract A Pseudomonas species isolated in this laboratory was adapted to grow on spermidine, bis(3-aminopropyl)amine and putrescine as the sole source of C and N and the distribution pattern of aminoaldehyde dehydrogenases was studied. Ammonium sulfate fractionation of the crude extracts from cells grown on spermidine, bis(3-aminopropyl)amine, and putrescine revealed the presence of multiple nonspecific aminoaldehyde dehydrogenases. The aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase which is most likely involved in the dehydrogenation of 3-aminopropanal is composed of two isozymes which are separable by a DEAE-Sephadex column and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. The isozymes of 3-aminopropanal dehydrogenase have been purified from 80- to 200-fold and have been shown to have different catalytic properties and electrophoretic mobilities.
Scientific drilling continues in Long Valley Caldera, California

The Long Valley caldera region, located between the Sierra Nevada and the Basin and Range Province in eastern California, encompasses a large volcanic complex whose eruptive history began nearly 4 m.y.a. and continues to the present, with eruptions occurring, on average, every few hundred years. Eruptive activity in the area occurred as recently as 250 years ago with small eruptions from vents on Paoha Island in the middle of Mono Lake and 550–600 years ago from three vents at the southern end of the Inyo volcanic chain in the west moat of Long Valley caldera. The current unrest in the caldera began in 1980 and has included recurring earthquake swarms and uplift of the resurgent dome in the center of the caldera by over 70 cm [Bailey and Hill, 1990]. Long Valley caldera is one of several large calderas around the world that have shown similar signs of magmatic unrest in the last few decades.
Deep-ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy study of the effect of aging on human cortical bone

The age-related deterioration in bone quality and conse- quent increase in fracture incidence is an obvious health concern that is becoming increasingly significant as the population ages. Raman spectroscopy with deep-ultraviolet excitation (244 nm) is used to measure vibrational spectra from human cortical bone obtained from donors over a wide age range (34-99 years). The UV Raman tech- nique avoids the fluorescence background usually found with visible and near-infrared excitation and, due to resonance Raman effects, is particularly sensitive to the organic component of bone. Spectral changes in the amide I band at 1640 cm ˛1 are found to correlate with both donor age and with previously reported fracture toughness data obtained from the same specimens. These results are discussed in the context of possible changes in collagen cross-linking chemistry as a function of age, and are deemed important to further our understand- ing of the changes in the organic component of the bone matrix with aging. © 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
On the theory of reflection from a wire grid parallel to an interface between homogeneous media

The reflection from a wire grid parallel to a plane interface is considered. The respective media are homogeneous and either or both can be dissipative. The grid is composed of thin equi-spaced wires of finite conductivity. The plane wave solution for arbitrary incidence is then generalized for cylindricalwave excitation. The energy absorbed from a magnetic line source by a grid situated on the surface of a dissipative half-space is treated in some detail. This latter problem is a two-dimensional analogy of a vertical antenna with a radial wire ground system.
The dark side of C5a in sepsis

Sepsis is a major clinical problem for which therapeutic interventions have been largely unsuccessful, in spite of promising strategies that were successful in animals, especially rodents. There is new evidence that sepsis causes excessive activation of the complement system and that this induces paralysis of innate immune functions in phagocytic cells due to effects of the powerful complement-activation product, C5a. This review describes our present understanding of how and why sepsis is a life-threatening condition and how it might be more effectively treated.
Statistical Methods for Describing Occupational Exposure Measurements

An important step in studies relating worker health to industrial exposure is the estimation of mean exposure levels. The investigator frequently has to rely on industrial hygiene measurements collected for other purposes. Samples may have been taken at several companies on different dates, and on each occasion multiple individual samplers may have been employed. Often it is not recognized that readings from such a hierarchical arrangement are correlated; for example, samples taken at the same time and location are more alike than samples taken on different days. This correlation invalidates the commonly used standard errors of sample means and the usual sample standard deviation. A component of variance analysis is suggested which quantifies within-day, between-day and between-company variation. Estimators of mean exposure are presented with correct standard errors. The techniques are illustrated by a small set of data and by a recent study of exposures to styrene in 36 companies manufacturing reinforced...
The effect of potassium dichromate on renal tubular transport processes

Abstract Several studies have been conducted to examine the effects of potassium dichromate on the morphology of renal tissue, but relatively few studies have been done on the functional aspects of the renal damage. This study was designed to examine with in vitro techniques the effects of dichromate on a number of renal tubular transport processes. The accumulation of paraaminohippurate (PAH) and of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) by both rat and rabbit slices was inhibited by 10 −4 m potassium dichromate added to the bathing solution. On the other hand, the accumulation of the nonmetabolizable amino acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), was only modestly reduced. In addition, the uptake of TEA was stimulated significantly by low concentrations (10 −6 m ) of potassium dichromate. Although, in general, similar results were obtained using renal cortical slices taken from pretreated animals significant differences occurred. For example, at none of the doses tested (5–20 mg/kg) was the accumulation of PAH, TEA, or AIB stimulated. This was true whether the measurements were made as soon as 0.5 hr after administration of potassium dichromate or as long as 5 days after its administration. At an intermediate dose of potassium dichromate (10 mg/kg) the lactate-stimulated accumulation of PAH was depressed, but the control or nonsubstrate-stimulated accumulation was not affected. In addition to the effects on uptake of organic compounds, potassium dichromate, whether administered to the intact animal or added to the extra-cellular fluid compartment, caused a decrease in the intracellular concentration of potassium and an increase in the intracellular concentration of sodium. From a quantitative point of view, however, the effect of the nephrotoxin administered to the intact animal was always greater on tissue electrolytes than when the nephrotoxin was added in vitro .
EFFECTS OF HAZARD WARNING ON WORKERS' ATTITUDES AND RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOR '

Until recently, the issue of job hazards has been largely ignored as a research and theoretical topic in business and management disciplines although workers' perceptions and assessments of job hazards are of significance to managers. In this paper are reported results of an experiment conducted in Egyptian chemical firms to test the generality of an implicit rational model used to explain employees' reactions to and perceptions of job hazards. Four hypotheses were tested: (1) workers' subjective estimates of their job hazards are positively related to the objective hazard, (2) workers' subjective estimates of a prospective new job hazard will vary directly with the extent of hazard communicated by the new product label, (3) workers' demand for new hazard wage premiums will vary directly with perceived prospective new work hazards, (4) workers' intention to quit the job will vary directly with subjective and objective estimates of job hazards. All hypotheses were supported. The rational worker model appears to be a general explanation for workers' responses to hazardous jobs and information on hazards. This model not only holds for USA workers but also for those in a nonwestern culture. Implications for management and the industrial setting are discussed.
Optimizing the accuracy of detecting a functional corpus luteum in dairy cows

The objectives were to evaluate the accuracy of detecting a functional CL by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, and to optimize the accuracy of detecting a functional CL by ultrasonography in Holstein cows. In Experiment 1, four veterinarians performed transrectal palpation in 1250 cows at 37 d in milk (DIM), two veterinarians repeated transrectal palpation in 823 cows at 58 DIM, and one veterinarian performed 206 ultrasonographic examinations at 37 DIM. In Experiment 2, 987 and 983 ultrasonographic examinations were performed at 21 and 24 d after AI by one veterinarian for detection and measurement of CL. Cows with a blood progesterone concentration > or =1ng/mL were assumed to have a functional CL. Sensitivity and specificity were optimized using receiver operating characteristic analysis. In Experiment 1, sensitivity of transrectal palpation for diagnosing a functional CL ranged from 33.3 to 59.9% at 37 DIM and from 48.3 to 68.4% at 58 DIM, whereas specificity ranged from 76.7 to 93.2% at 37 DIM and from 73.3 to 86.7% at 58 DIM. Sensitivity and specificity for ultrasonography were 89.4 and 45.7%, respectively. In Experiment 2, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography were 97.3 and 38.1% at 21 d after AI, and were 97.9 and 51.0% at 24 d after AI. Sensitivity and specificity were optimized using a cutoff diameter of 23mm at 21 d and 22mm at 24 d, which resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 87.2 and 83.0% at 21 d, and 89.5 and 89.4% at 24 d after AI, respectively. Sensitivity was low and specificity was high for transrectal palpation, whereas ultrasonography resulted in high sensitivity and low specificity. Using a cutoff diameter during ultrasonography improved accuracy of detection of a functional CL compared with either ultrasonography without cutoff or transrectal palpation.
Bacterial Air Pollution from Activated Sludge Units

Abstract Large numbers of potentially pathogenic bacteria were collected from the air surrounding activated sludge units, and many persisted for a considerable time and distance. Significantly, the airborne enteric pathogens were greatly outnumbered by bacteria of proved pathogenicity in the respiratory tract. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the pathogen isolated most frequently, and several studies concerning the spread, longevity, and factors of pathogenicity of this organism were conducted. The potential health hazard of the emitted respiratory pathogens was considerably increased by the fact that a large percentage of the aerosol particles transporting viable bacteria were of a size permitting lung penetration.
A simulation model of PCB dynamics in the Lake Ontario pelagic food web

Salmonid stocking and reduced phosphorous loading have led to major changes in the Lake Ontario ecosystem over the last 25 years and during the last 15–20 years PCB concentrations in age 4+ lake trout have dropped from ca. 9 to 3 mg kg−1. Here, I present a simulation model that examines PCB dynamics by coupling a dynamic prey supply to a multi-species functional response model of predation. At 1994 target levels of stocking, the model predicts that chinook salmon will increase, but alewife, lake trout and steelhead will decrease in biomass over the next 10 years. PCB concentrations of the sport fish are predicted to be 1.28, 1.77 and 3.06 mg kg−1 for steelhead, chinook salmon and lake trout, respectively. If alewife growth rates are not reduced farther, the model predicts that alewife could recover from a severe winter mortality. Decreases in the growth rates of sport fishes were accompanied by higher PCB concentrations and lake trout always had higher PCB concentrations for a given age class than chinook salmon and steelhead. Therefore if minimal sport fish PCB concentrations are a principal goal, managers should stock less lake trout, and stock more of the faster growing and less contaminated chinook salmon and steelhead.
Solution of Lanchester equation models for combat

Abstract This paper provides a methodology for the study of quantitative behavior of solutions to the extended system of Lanchester-type differential equations for the prediction of the outcome of battles under different condition. The method is sufficiently general for use with nonlinear and/or stochastic adaptations as well.
Digital x-ray cameras for real-time stereotactic breast needle biopsy

This paper describes experiments performed to determine image quality of three x-ray imaging systems designed for stereotactic breast needle biopsy: A system developed in-house, a LoRad DSM and a Fischer MammoVision. All systems have been successfully used to perform stereotactic breast needle biopsies and preoperative needle localizations. They all successfully decrease the time for stereotactic needle biopsy procedures. The systems are being characterized with respect to image quality for a variety of mammographic x-ray screens. The sensitivity can be as high as 96 ADU/mR and as low as 28 ADU/mR, depending on the phosphor screen and the gain used. The response is linear with respect to x-ray exposure. The highest spatial resolution found was on the order of 10 lp/mm, which is the Nyquist frequency for systems with 1024 pixels at a linear field of 5 cm. The noise at zero spatial frequency was found to be mainly determined by x-ray photon noise.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Creative Leadership: A Study of Middle Managers, Senior Level Managers and CEOs

Today's world is confronted with an increasingly complex society, explosive technological change, growing social demands and ever decreasing material and natural resources (Waterman, 1987; Bennis, 1989; Lodge, 1990; Carnes, 1992; Talbot, 1992 and Smith, 1995). World leaders are realizing the importance of judiciously employing the unique talent and creative energy of their citizens to these problems and issues (Peters & Waterman, 1982; Deming, 1986; McCrone, 1993; Woodman, Sawyer and Griffin (1993); Ainsworth-Land (1997); Mumford and Simonton (1997); Tesluk, Tarr and Kleim (1997); Diets, 1994 and Manz and Sims, 1996). This article will focus on a research study of the behaviors of individuals who were identified as demonstrating leadership effectiveness in their organizations. Attention was given to the role of leaders in developing leadership in co-workers to increase effectiveness and effect change in organizations.
A matrix-based multilevel approach to identify functional protein modules

Identifying functional modules is believed to reveal most cellular processes. There have been many computational approaches to investigate the underlying biological structures (Bader and Hogue, 2003; Dhillon et al., 2005; Krogan et al., 2006; Ramadan et al., 2005; Xiong et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2004). A spectral clustering method plays a critical role identifying functional modules in a yeast protein-protein network (Ramadan et al., 2005). We present an unweighted-graph version of a multilevel spectral algorithm which more accurately identifies protein complexes with less computational time.
SAT Validity for Linguistic Minorities at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The validity of the SAT as an admissions criterion for Latinos and Asian Americans who are not native English speakers was examined. The analyses, based on 1997 and 1998 UCSB freshmen, focused on the effectiveness of SAT scores and high school grade-point average (HSGPA) in predicting college freshman grade-point average (FGPA). When regression equations were estimated based on all students combined, some systematic prediction errors occurred. For language minorities, using only high school grades as a predictor led to predicted FGPAs that tended to exceed actual FGPAs, particularly for Latinos. Including SAT scores in the equation notably reduced prediction bias. Further analyses showed that, while HSGPA had the highest correlation with FGPA for most groups, SAT verbal score was the strongest predictor of FGPA for language minorities in 1998. An overriding conclusion is that combining data across language groups can obscure important test validity information.
Inhibitors of Sterol Synthesis: 3β-Hydroxy-25,26,26,26,27,27,27-heptafluoro-5α-cholestan-15-one, an Analog of a Potent Hypocholesterolemic Agent in Which Its Major Metabolism Is Blocked

The chemical synthesis of 3β-hydroxy-25,26,26,26,27,27,27-heptafluoro-5α-cholestan-15-one (IV) has been pursued to provide an analog of the potent hypocholesterolemic agent 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (I) in which its major metabolism is blocked. Reduction of 3β-acetoxy-5α-chola-8(14),23-dien-15-one with lithium in liquid ammonia gave 3β-hydroxy-5α-chol-23-en-15-one (VI). Addition of (CF3)2CFI to VI in the presence of triethyl borane gave 3β-hydroxy-23R-iodo-25,26,26,26,27,27,27-heptafluoro-5α-cholestan-15-one, which was reduced to IV with tributyltin hydride. IV was found to be highly active in lowering the levels of HMG-CoA reductase activity in CHO-K1 cells, in lowering acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in jejunal microsomes, and in lowering serum cholesterol levels in rats.
Suppression of prostaglandin synthesis by arachidonic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid in a macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7, treated with LPS

In a mouse macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7, increasing the arachidonic acid (AA) content, by culturing cells with AA, caused profound AA release, irrespective of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treatment, while lowering the AA content, by culturing cells with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), decreased it compared with the level in non-modified control cells. However, the release of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), which had been generated from AA in response to LPS-treatment, was significantly decreased in both AA- and EPA-treated cells. Furthermore, although the amount of PG endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2) increased following LPS-treatment in all cases, both AA- and EPA-treatment caused a reduction of PGHS activity in LPS-treated cell lysates. Also, the addition of EPA or preincubation with AA in an in vitro PGHS assay system involving an LPS-treated, un-modified macrophage lysate, resulted in rapid inhibition of PGHS activity. These results suggest that both AA- and EPA-treatment inhibit PGD2 synthesis by inactivating PGHS-2 without affecting induction of the protein, and that the increase or decrease in AA content following AA- or EPA-treatment correlates simply with the level of AA release but not with that of PGD2 formation.
Structural Characterization of the Degradation Products of a Minor Natural Sweet Diterpene Glycoside Rebaudioside M under Acidic Conditions

Degradation of rebaudioside M, a minor sweet component of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, under conditions that simulated extreme pH and temperature conditions has been studied. Thus, rebaudioside M was treated with 0.1 M phosphoric acid solution (pH 2.0) and 80 °C temperature for 24 h. Experimental results indicated that rebaudioside M under low pH and higher temperature yielded three minor degradation compounds, whose structural characterization was performed on the basis of 1D (1H-, 13C-) & 2D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR, HRMS, MS/MS spectral data as well as enzymatic and acid hydrolysis studies.
Diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer metastatic to the spine

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of death in Western women. Breast cancer most commonly metastasizes to the bone and has a particular affinity with the spine, accounting for 2/3 of osseous metastases discovered. With significant improvements in cancer therapies, the number of patients at risk for symptomatic spinal metastases is likely to increase. Patients may suffer from intractable pain and neurological dysfunction, negatively influencing their quality of life. Timely diagnosis of patients is crucial and has been aided by several breakthrough advances in imaging techniques which aid in detection, staging, and follow-up of bone metastases. Breast metastases are usually responsive to hormonal therapy and pharmacologic interventions, but skeletal metastases often require surgical intervention. The treatments are palliative but goals include the preserving or restoring neurologic function, ensuring spinal stability, and relieving pain. Advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation have allowed more effective decompression and stabilization of the spine, and with the support of recent evidence the trend has shifted towards using more advanced surgical options in appropriately selected patients. In this review, the clinical presentation, diagnosis, patient selection, and surgical management of breast cancer metastatic to the spine are discussed.
General Health Effects of Prolonged Exposure to 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazo Benzene and 3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazoxybenzene in Rats

ABSTRACT3,3',4,4'-Tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) and 3,3',4',4'-tetrachloroazoxybenzene (TCAOB) are formed as contaminants during the industrial manufacturing of chloroanilide herbicides. Changes in the general body health status were evaluated in rats fed an experimental diet containing 100 ppm of TUB or TCAOB for 120 days. A significant difference in body weight between experimental and control animals was observed. Of all major organs examined at necropsy, liver, spleen and testis weight were affected. Induction of hepatic drugaetabolizing enzymes was observed. Hematological studies indicated a definite reduction in the number of erythrocytes among TCAOB treated rats. Various parameters of serum clinical chenistry were subsequently determined. The total lipids and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in exposed animals were found to be elevated. Results obtained in this study coupled with our earlier findings on carcinogenicity indicate that occupational exposure to TCAB and TCAOB may cause adverse human hea...
Are pilots at risk of accidents due to fatigue

Problem: There is concern in the aviation community that pilot schedules can lead to fatigue and increased chance of an aviation accident. Yet despite this concern, there is little empirical analysis showing the relationship between pilot schedules and commercial aviation accidents. This study attempts to demonstrate an empirical relationship between pilot schedules and aviation accidents. Method: Data for human factors-related accidents and pilot work patterns were identified. The distribution of pilot work schedule parameters for the accidents was compared to that for all pilots using a chi-square test to determine if the proportions of accidents and length of duty exposure were the same. If the distributions are the same, then one could infer that pilot human factor accidents are not affected by work schedule parameters. Results: The proportion of accidents associated with pilots having longer duty periods is higher than the proportion of longer duty periods for all pilots. Discussion: There is a discernible pattern of increased probability of an accident as duty time increases for commercial aircraft pilots in the United States. Impact on Industry: The analysis suggests that establishing limits on duty time for commercial pilots would reduce risk. Such a rule is likely to be expensive and could substantially impact the commercial airlines. In return, there is likely to be a reduction in the risk of commercial aviation accidents due to pilot fatigue.
Optical Diagnostics and Radiative Properties of Simulated Soot Agglomerates

The effect of agglomeration on the optical diagnostics and radiative properties of simulated soot agglomerates is investigated, using results from the Jones solution. It is found that agglomeration has a very strong effect on scattering, but only a weak effect on extinction ({congruent} absorption). An accurate relation has been developed, based on near-forward scattering coefficients, for inferring the number of primary particles in soot agglomerates. General models for both total and differential scattering coefficients have also been established. These results are in general agreement with those predicted for fractal aggregates having a large number of particles. Because of the effect of agglomeration, scattering may not be negligible in treating radiative transport from soot agglomerates.
Permanence of Retrograde Amnesia Produced by Electroconvulsive Shock

The permanence of retrograde amnesia produced for a single training trial by a single electroconvulsive shock was studied. No recovery from amnesia was found with either single or repeated retention tests. Amnesic effects were found to be permanent with retention intervals as long as 1 month.
The Evolution of Sex Differences in Jealousy: Failure to Replicate Previous Results

Abstract The evolutionary account of jealousy predicts that men will experience more distress from incidences of sexual than emotional infidelity, whereas for women, the converse will hold true. Physiological responses to imagined scenes of infidelity were recorded in the current study. Results generally failed to support the evolutionary hypothesis and to replicate the findings of prior research (Buss, Larsen, Westen, & Semmelroth, 1992). A potential methodological confound was also examined and shown to affect the current results to only a small degree. The reliability and validity of previous findings are therefore brought into question.
Modern pollen rain and vegetational history of the Malaspina Glacier district, Alaska

Seventy surface pollen samples from coastal forest, coastal meadow, muskeg, tree line, and alpine tundra communities form a basis for interpreting fossil pollen assemblages in the Malaspina Glacier district, Alaska. Poflen and macrofossil analyses of three radiocarbon-dated fossil sections from Icy Cape indicate that vegetational changes resulting from plant succession can be distinguished from those of migrational and climatic origin. Vegetation of the early Holocene xerothermic interval (10,000–7600 yr B.P.) was dominated by Alnus communities. Wetter conditions ensued, enabling generative muskeg surfaces to develop and first Picea sitchensis, then Tsuga heterophylla to expand from areas southeastward. Climatic cooling in more recent millennia (3500 yr B.P. to the present) is indicated by the appearance and persistent growth of Tsuga mertensiana and Selaginella selaginoides along this portion of the Gulf of Alaska coastline.
Experimental studies of the equilibrium of a linear high‐beta l=1 stellarator

A high‐beta linear l=1 stellarator plasma is produced in a low‐compression 3 m theta pinch whose compression coil (22 cm i.d.) is modified to have a helical offset of 2 cm and an axial helical period of 40 cm. Internal probes are used to determine the spatial structure and temporal behavior of the magnetic fields, plasma pressure, and current. The results are well described by ideal magnetodydrodynamic equilibrium theory.
CONDITIONING PECANS WITH STEAM TO IMPROVE SHELLING EFFICIENCY AND STORAGE STABILITY

Inshell pecans (Curya illinoensis, cvs. Stuart and Schley) were conditioned for cracking and shelling by a 3-min atmospheric-steam process and by two processes used commercially. Conditioned and untreated pecans were evaluated for shelling efficiency and for storage stability of the meats. Shelling efficiency was based on percent halves obtained; and storage stability, on changes in peroxide and free fatty acid values, sensory evaluations, and Hunter a/b values during accelerated storage of the halves at 21°C-65% RH. Steam-treated pecans yielded 12-17 percentage points more halves than pecans conditioned by the other processes, and 19 percentage points more halves than the untreated nuts. Halves from steam-treated nuts were less susceptible to oxidative and hydrolytic deterioration during storage.
A Control Approach to Insurance Loss Reserving

Most casualty insurance loss reserving has been performed on a “case basis” without regard to the causal factors which affect losses---accident frequency, accident severity, and the firm's exposure to claims. Here, a control approach is developed which permits the loss reserve decision-maker to establish loss reserves on the basis of these indicators of the current loss environment.
Sparse matrix wave-front estimators for adaptive-optics systems for large ground-based telescopes

A closed-loop adaptive-optics servo system is an iterative optical–digital processor that can be characterized by a first-order difference equation. This identification leads to a new class of wave-front estimators, some of which are extremely sparse and permit real-time subaperture intensity weighting.
Current collection through the transport of electrons across magnetic field lines

Numerical simulations are used to investigate the collection of electrons by a long conducting cylinder in a flowing plasma. The plasma flow simulates the relative motion between a spacecraft and the plasma. The sheath structures and the levels of electron current collections for the cases with and without an ambient magnetic field are examined. It is found that for the flow perpendicular to the magnetic field, the current is considerably enhanced depending on the relative drift velocity. In the case of a nonzero magnetic field perpendicular to the cylinder axis, the potential structure is a 2D double layer with dimensions L-perpendicular much less than L-parallel. L-perpendicular is found to be the current limiting radius given by the Parker-Murphy model (1967). For the flow along the ambient magnetic field, the electron current is found to be smaller than that for the flow perpendicular to this field. This is explained in terms of the potential structures.
“DISMANTLING THE MASTER'S HOUSE”: Freedom as Ethical Practice in Brandom and Foucault

This article makes a case for the capacity of “social practice” accounts of agency and freedom to criticize, resist, and transform systemic forms of power and domination from within the context of religious and political practices and institutions. I first examine criticisms that Michel Foucault's analysis of systemic power results in normative aimlessness, and then I contrast that account with the description of agency and innovative practice that pragmatist philosopher Robert Brandom identifies as “expressive freedom.” I argue that Brandom can provide a normative trajectory for Foucault's diagnoses of power and domination, helping to resolve its apparent lack of ethical direction. I demonstrate that Foucault, in turn, presents Brandom with insights that might overcome the charges of abstraction and conservatism that his pragmatic inferentialism frequently encounters. The result is a vindication of social practice as an analytical lens for social criticism that is at once both immanent and radical.
Management of complicated wounds

Most injuries, including those with significant tissue loss, can be successfully managed with proper therapy. With delayed healing, potential causes for the delay, such as sequestra, foreign bodies, and excessive motion,should be determined and treated to permit complete wound resolution. Horses have the innate ability to heal rapidly; however, minor injuries can quickly turn into complicated wounds, given the severity of the inciting trauma and the less than ideal environment in which the horses are housed. Wound management must focus on a combination of timely surgical and medical intervention to ensure the best potential outcome.
Incidence of Fractures in a Cohort of Veterans With Chronic Multiple Sclerosis or Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract Logan WC Jr, Sloane R, Lyles KW, Goldstein B, Hoenig HM. Incidence of fractures in a cohort of veterans with chronic multiple sclerosis or traumatic spinal cord injury. Objective To measure skeletal fractures in a cohort of veterans with spinal cord dysfunction (SCD) due to multiple sclerosis (MS) or trauma-related spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting Database search. Participants Study subjects were a subset of the 1996 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Spinal Cord Dysfunction Registry, from which 8150 patients were identified with either MS (n=1789) or SCI (n=6361). Inpatient and outpatient encounters for nonaxial fractures, based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, were identified through VHA administrative databases between October 1996 and June 2005. VHA Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem death file identified time of death. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Data from the 1996 VHA National Spinal Cord Dysfunction Registry survey was used to determine duration of disease and motor impairment (4 categories of motor impairment based on self-report of the number of limbs involved and degree of motor loss). Proportional hazard modeling evaluated the time to first fracture and Poisson regression evaluated relative risk (RR) of fracture by cause of SCD and degree of motor impairment, adjusting for age, sex, race, and duration of SCD. Results Subjects were, on average, 52.5 years of age, acquired their SCD 22 years prior, and 386 of 8150 were deceased. During the study period, 4021 fracture encounters were identified representing 1738 unique fractures for 1085 of 7832 subjects, for a mean per-person fracture rate of 3.1 per 100 patient-years at risk. The RR of fracture differed according to cause of SCD and motor impairment. Fracture risk was increased by more than 2-fold in those with some motor impairment (RR=2.33, P Conclusions Persons with SCD have high rates of skeletal fractures. The highest fracture rates occurred in those with some to moderate motor impairment. There were significant differences in risk of fracture according to causal disease, controlling for motor impairment and duration. There appear to be unique contributors to risk of fracture beyond simply disuse.
OXYGEN UPTAKE OF FLYING BUDGERIGARS BY V. A. TUCKER

![Figure][1] In studies of animal movement, few questions have provided more understanding of an organism's functional morphology and comparative physiology than asking, what are the rates of metabolic energy required to sustain motion and how do these rates of energy liberation change when