cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Specification of Assemblers

The problem of applying formal techniques of program specification and verification to large complex programs is considered. It is argued that a practical solution requires a variety of techniques, including both procedural and nonprocedural specifications, hierarchical program organization, and the use of program transformations. In particular, a case is made for flexible problem-oriented choice of specification techniques and languages. These ideas are expanded by specifying a load-and-go assembler in three parts: a transduction grammar describing the correspondence between concrete and abstract syntax for assembly language programs; a set of transformations of the abstract form; and a nonconstructive axiomatic specification of the result of core assembly and loading of transformed abstract programs.
Isomerization and dissociation in competition: The two-component dissociation rates of methyl propionate ions

Threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) spectroscopy has been used to investigate the unimolecular chemistry of gas-phase methyl propionate ions. This ion undergoes isomerization to a lower energy enol structure, CH{sub 3}CHC(OH)OCH{sub 3}{sup {sm_bullet}+}, via two different pathways involving two distonic isomers, {sup {sm_bullet}}CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}C{sup +}(OH)OCH{sub 3} and CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}C{sup +}(OH)OCH{sub 2}{sup {sm_bullet}}. This isomerization reaction is in competition with the direct CH{sub 3}O{sup {sm_bullet}} loss reaction, which leads to two-component dissociation rates of the methyl propionate ions. Detailed modeling of this complex reaction permitted the extraction of the dissociative photoionization threshold for methyl propionate, which at 0 K is 10.83 {+-} 0.01 eV, as well as the isomerization barrier between the distonic CH{sub 3}CH{sub 2}C{sup +}(OH)OCH{sub 2}{sup {sm_bullet}} and enol CH{sub 3}CHC(OH)OCH{sub 3}{sup {sm_bullet}+} ions of 8.5 kcal/mol (relative to the methyl propionate ion). By combining this with the 0 K heats of formation of methyl propionate and the methoxy radical, the authors derive a 0 K heat of formation of the product propanoyl ion of 147 kcal/mol. Also measured was the adiabatic ionization energy of methyl propionate, 10.03 {+-} 0.05 eV.
Using Co-occurrence Analysis to Expand Consumer Health Vocabularies from Social Media Data

As health consumerism in the United States has remarkably risen over the past decade, more and more health consumers are actively seeking health related information on their own. However, health consumers' efforts in seeking healthcare information could be challenging due to the lack of professional knowledge in medicine, and the gap between health professional vocabulary and health consumer vocabulary is one of the biggest issues. It has long been recognized that consumers and health professionals often express health concepts in different ways and consumers usually find it difficult to understand some medical terminologies or express themselves using the professional language for information seeking. To address this problem, many researchers have been working on developing Consumer Health Vocabulary (CHV) to bridge the language gap. One crucial step in developing CHV is the identification of consumer health expressions. Most of the methods used by existing studies in identifying consumer health expressions involve human efforts, which is very time-consuming. In this study, we propose an automatic method to identify consumer health expressions from consumer-contributed content, which represent consumers' language the best. Co-occurrence analysis was used to identify terms that co-occur frequently with a set of seed terms. A corpus containing 120,393 discussion messages was used as a dataset and co-occurrence analysis was used to extract the most related consumer expressions. The experiment results demonstrated that the proposed method achieved a good performance in identifying consumer health expressions.
Dynamic shear modulus of tricresyl phosphate and squalane

We have measured the shear modulus and viscosity of two supercooled liquids: tricresyl phosphate and squalane. In both cases we find that the width of the peak in the imaginary part of the shear modulus narrows as the temperature is lowered toward the glass transition temperature. For tricresyl phosphate, we find no evidence for a decoupling of the viscosity and shear modulus relaxation times from the relaxation times determined by dielectric spectroscopy.
Control of chlorophyll synthesis in Chromatium vinosum

The role of adenine nucleotides in the control of the energy metabolism of Chromatium has been studied through the measurement of the levels of ATP ADP, and AMP in growing cultures. Comparison of these levels with the cellular chlorophyll levels indicates that ATP concentration, and not those of ADP, AMP, or any function of concentration of these three nucleotides, is a controlling factor in chlorophyll synthesis. In addition, the relationship of cellular ATP and chlorophyll levels to sulfur metabolism furnishes further evidence for the existence of two photosystems, postulated previously. The effects of high levels of exogenous ATP and ADP are consistent with these findings.
A Skylight Energy Balance Analysis Procedure

This paper provides a systematic method for calculating the total, net differential energy balance observed when sections of the roof of a building are replaced with skylights. Numerous mathematical models have been developed to approximate the heat transfers and illumination energy gains associated with the installation of skylights. The procedure described herein is especially well suited for implementation on a relatively inexpensive class of microcomputers. Among the topics discussed are the effect of solar gains, dome and curb conduction heat transfers, equivalent roof area heat transfers, infiltration heat transfers, artificial lighting energy requirements, and illumination savings from skylights. The paper also provides much of the supplementary information (data) needed to complete these energy calculations. This information appears in the form of appendices, tables, and graphs, found at the end of the paper.
Cellular Noise Suppression by the Regulator of G Protein Signaling Sst2

G proteins and their associated receptors process information from a variety of environmental stimuli to induce appropriate cellular responses. Generally speaking, each cell in a population responds within defined limits, despite large variation in the expression of protein signaling components. Therefore, we postulated that noise suppression is encoded within the signaling system. Using the yeast mating pathway as a model, we evaluated the ability of a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein to suppress noise. We found that the RGS protein Sst2 limits variability in transcription and morphogenesis in response to pheromone stimulation. While signal suppression is a result of both the GAP (GTPase accelerating) and receptor binding functions of Sst2, noise suppression requires only the GAP activity. Taken together, our findings reveal a hitherto overlooked role of RGS proteins as noise suppressors and demonstrate an ability to uncouple signal and noise in a prototypical stimulus-response pathway.
Bereaved Hospice Caregivers' Perceptions of the End-of-Life Care Communication Process and the Involvement of Health Care Professionals

Background: This study was conducted to gain an understanding of bereaved hospice family caregivers' perceptions of the communication process from initial discussion of the need for end-of-life care and hospice through the decision to choose hospice and the transition home. Methods: One hundred eight bereaved hospice caregivers that were 36 months postpatient death responded to a quantitative mailed survey. Aspects of the end-of-life care communication process, including involvement of health care professionals at each step, were assessed. Results: Serious illness and the need for hospice care were first mentioned to patients and caregivers by physicians. Often the caregivers recalled only one meeting in which hospice was discussed. Other than the physicians, social workers were the professionals most often present in at least one of these meetings. Nurses and social workers were both perceived to be helpful in the transition to home hospice. Social workers were reported to be most comfortable with discus...
Vision-realistic rendering: simulation of the scanned foveal image from wavefront data of human subjects

We introduce the concept of vision-realistic rendering -- the computer generation of synthetic images that incorporate the characteristics of a particular individual's entire optical system. Specifically, this paper develops a method for simulating the scanned foveal image from wavefront data of actual human subjects, and demonstrates those methods on sample images.First, a subject's optical system is measured by a Shack-Hartmann wavefront aberrometry device. This device outputs a measured wavefront which is sampled to calculate an object space point spread function (OSPSF). The OSPSF is then used to blur input images. This blurring is accomplished by creating a set of depth images, convolving them with the OSPSF, and finally compositing to form a vision-realistic rendered image.Applications of vision-realistic rendering in computer graphics as well as in optometry and ophthalmology are discussed.
Le cinéma de Sembène Ousmane, une (double) contre-ethnographie : (Notes pour une recherche)

Dans un premier temps, cet article brosse brievement une biographie intellectuelle de Sembene Ousmane pour faire ressortir les rapports entre sa production et sa trajectoire de sujet senegalais, Ousmane Sembene de son vrai nom, devenu le romancier et cineaste Sembene Ousmane. Du meme coup, a partir d’une lecture de l’evolution des titres de ses romans du francais au wolof, du Docker noir (1956) a Xala (1973), il tente d’expliquer son passage de l’ecrit a l’ecran. Dans un deuxieme temps, ce texte montre la coherence interne de l’oeuvre cinematographique de La Noire de... (1966) a Moolaade (2004), en passant par Mandabi (1968), Ceddo (1976) ou Camp de Thiaroye (1988). Ces films qui, tous, mettent en scene une crise suite a une rencontre avec l’Autre (ou d’autres), plus specifiquement l’irruption d’un ou des elements etrangers dans un corps social jamais un mais multiple, divers dans un proces de confrontation/transformation. Cette double contre-ethnographie, portrait de Soi et portrait de l’Autre, ni Soi ni l’Autre n’etant un, mais multiple, divers/divise est une poethique (poetique et ethique) liee a un engagement personnel de l’ecrivain-cineaste pour une redefinition de l’image de l’Afrique sur les ecrans. En ce sens, son travail se fait notamment, du moins implicitement, contre un certain cinema ethnographique dont Jean Rouch a ete la figure de proue avec des documentaires comme Les Maitres fous (1954) ou Mammy Water (1966).
A model Hamiltonian for the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7–8 superconductor

Abstract A model Hamiltonian has been presented based on the tight-binding approximation. The critical temperature of superconductivity T c is not related to the reduced mass of the positive and negative ions. Therefore, there is no isotopic effect according to this model.
Mutation of the SNF2 family member Chd2 affects mouse development and survival

The chromodomain helicase DNA-binding domain (Chd) proteins belong to the SNF2-like family of ATPases that function in chromatin remodeling and assembly. These proteins are characterized by the presence of tandem chromodomains and are further subdivided based on the presence or absence of additional structural motifs. The Chd1–Chd2 subfamily is distinguished by the presence of a DNA-binding domain that recognizes AT-rich sequence. Currently, there are no reports addressing the function of the Chd2 family member. Embryonic stem cells containing a retroviral gene-trap inserted at the Chd2 locus were utilized to generate mice expressing a Chd2 protein lacking the DNA-binding domain. This mutation in Chd2 resulted in a general growth delay in homozygous mutants late in embryogenesis and in perinatal lethality. Animals heterozygous for the mutation showed decreased neonatal viability and increased susceptibility to non-neoplastic lesions affecting most primary organs. In particular, approximately 85% of the heterozygotes showed gross kidney abnormalities. Our results demonstrate that mutation of Chd2 dramatically affects mammalian development and long-term survival. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 162–171, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
TAK1 Lys-158 but not Lys-209 is required for IL-1β-induced Lys63-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination and IKK/NF-κB activation

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factor-mediated transcription is the endpoint of a series of signal transduction events that are initiated by a vast array of stimuli. Both the proteolytic and non-proteolytic functions of ubiquitination are critically important for the regulation of NF-κB activation. Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of TAK1 is required for IL-1β-induced IKK/NF-κB activation. However, the lysine site that mediates Lys63-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination in IL-1β signaling is still controversial. Here we report that TAK1 Lysine 158 but not Lysine 209 is required for IL-1β-induced Lys63-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination and TAK1-mediated IKK, JNK, and p38 activation. Co-overexpression of TAK1 wild-type and K209R mutant with TAB1 induced Lys63-linked TAK1 polyubiquitination and NF-κB activation whereas TAK1 K158R mutant failed to do so. Furthermore, IL-1β induces polyubiquitination of TAK1 wild-type and K209R mutant but not K158R mutant. Reconstitution of TAK1-deficient mouse embryo fibroblast cells with wild-type, K158R mutant, or K209R mutant TAK1 reveals that TAK1 Lys-158 but not Lys-209 is required for IL-1β-induced IKK, p38 and JNK activation.
Can Hope be Changed in 90 Minutes? Testing the Efficacy of a Single-Session Goal-Pursuit Intervention for College Students

Despite extensive research demonstrating relationships between hope and well being, little work addresses whether hope is malleable. We test a single-session, 90-min intervention to increase college students’ hopeful goal-directed thinking (as defined by Snyder et al. in, Pers Soc Psychol 60:570–585, 1991). To date, this study represents the only test of hope’s malleability in fewer than five sessions and contributes to the small but growing literature regarding positive-psychology interventions. This intervention is especially relevant to college students, given the increasing psychological distress and lack of perceived control noted among this population (Lewinsohn et al. in, J Abnorm Psychol 102:110–120, 1993; Twenge et al. in, Pers Soc Psychol Rev 8:308–319, 2004). Ninety-six participants were assigned to the hope intervention or one of two comparison/control conditions—progressive muscle relaxation or no intervention. Assessment occurred prior to intervention (pre-test), following intervention (post-test), and at one-month follow-up. Participants in the hope intervention showed increases in measures of hope, life purpose, and vocational calling from pre- to post-test relative to control participants. They also reported greater progress on a self-nominated goal at one-month follow-up. Counterintuitively, although hope predicted goal progress, hope did not mediate the relationship between intervention condition and goal progress. Implications of these findings and future directions are discussed.
Ultrastructure of Schwann and perineural sheaths at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

Intramuscular nerve branches are covered by a complex of epithelial sheaths which decrease in thickness and complexity as the nerves branch to reach ultimate termination of neuromuscular junctions. The outermost layer (epineurium) of intramuscular nerves is composed of thin processes of fibrocytes lacking basement lamina and associated with parallel bundles of collagen. Internal to this layer are two or three layers of interdigitating perineural cells covered with basement lamina. The innermost layer is frequently incompletely covered by basement lamina within the perineural sheath. Schwann cells covered with basement lamina enclose myelinated and unmyelinated axons. In the region of neuromuscular junctions, the basement lamina of Schwann cell processes merge with the myofiber basement lamina. Thin perineural cell processes form a bell-shaped covering which does not reach the muscle basement lamina. The relationships of myelin to the axon as the terminal axon emerges from the Schwann cell closely resembles the relationships of these structures in nodes of Ranvier.
Extension of the geometrical representation of the schrödinger equation for a two-state system to include the effect of non-resonant levels

Abstract For field intensities which are not too large or rapidly varying, weak excitation of non-resonant levels introduces a time dependent Stark shift of the resonant levels without affecting the total probability of the system being in the resonant levels. Some consequences of this for the theory of ultra-short pulse propagation in a resonant medium are considered.
Governing images and the prevention of alcohol problems.

Abstract Discussions of the prevention of alcohol problems are commonly organized around particular “governing images,” which characterize alcohol problems in terms of a coherent perspective. Three such governing images in current discussions of prevention are described. The image of alcohol as an irresistibly attractive but dangerous substance, suggesting restrictions on availability, fits easily into a public health epidemiological perspective. The image of alcohol problems as problems of disruptive or compulsive behaviors ascribed to a cultural ambivalence towards alcohol, pointing to general educational campaigns, is attractive to social psychiatrists and sociologists. The image of alcoholism as a specific disease of unknown but pre-existing etiology, calling for casefinding of “hidden alcoholics,” has been a fundamental tenet of the “alcoholism movement,” aimed at securing more humane treatment for the alcoholic. Though the three images focus on different aspects of alcohol problems, each involves a disease conceptualization. Yet the assumptions of a disease conceptualization often do not fit the empirical data on drinking patterns and problems in the general population, which show continua of severity, modest overlaps between drinking problems, and only a moderate persistence of problems in time. A disease conceptualization of behavior also presumes the abnormality and undesirability of the behavior, a presumption not shared by many heavy drinkers. The ethics of prevention needs detailed discussion; some possible ethical considerations are listed. Overall, governing images have distorted and limited discussions of the prevention of alcohol problems. Some strategies of prevention which do not fit present governing images are suggested, including measures encouraging nondrinking behaviors, modifications of popular images of and reaction to drinking, and insulating drinking behavior from social damage.
Decay of 55Cr

Abstract The decay of 55 Cr to levels in 55 Mn was investigated using Ge(Li) gamma detectors. On the basis of energy, intensity and coincidence measurements a new decay scheme is proposed. In addition to levels at 1528 and 2252 keV seen in earlier decay studies, levels at 126, 2268 and 2368 keV were observed. Spin assignments are postulated for all levels.
THE UTILITY OF THE SEDIMENT BUDGET CONCEPT IN SEDIMENT POLLUTION CONTROL

Soil conservation programs and management of sediment pollution in streams are both concerned with land conservation and water quality, but specific management goals are usually governed by separate considerations. Geomorphic concepts, especially the fluvial sediment budget, can be used to examine the relationship between upland soil erosion and sediment pollution in waterways. An example of such an application is given for the upper Tar River basin of North Carolina, showing that achieving soil loss goals will not prevent continuing high stream sediment concentrations and water quality deterioration. The budget concept can also be used to determine whether direct control of sediment input to waterways is needed in addition to on-site erosion control. Usually such applications require assumptions of a constant qualitative character of the sediment budget.
A review of the origin and development of the florists’ cineraria, Senecio cruentus

Considering that the cineraria originated comparatively recently, and under what must be regarded as the best of horticultural conditions, it is rather surprising to realize the paucity of factual historical evidence relevant to the origin and development of the complex. The summarized facts are as follows: The progenitors of the cineraria belong to the sectionPericallis of the genusSenecio, a group restricted to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira. This group was introduced into cultivation in 1777 and 1780. By the early 1800’s the cineraria was distinct from its progenitors; by the late 1800’s, it encompassed numerous cultivars and great diversity of form. The biological origin of the complex has been studied fitfully, but the available evidence suggests that the cineraria is of hybrid, origin, involvingSenecio cruentus andS. heritieri and possibly several other species.
Applications of laser ionization spectroscopy

Abstract Ions and electrons generated when molecules are ionized by a two-step process can be analyzed using time of flight mass and photoelectron spectrometers. The types ofspectroscopic experiments made possible by doing this are reviewed, and examples of the quality of data that can be generated are presented.
Contingency awareness, partial reinforcement effects, and curiosity motivation in children

Abstract Third- and fourth-grade children were given a two-choice discrimination learning task, designed to associate each of three syllables with a different reward schedule: 100% reward, 50% reward, and 0% reward. Subsequent to the conditioning phase, measures were made of the subject's awareness of the reward contingencies associated with the syllables, as well as the pleasantness and curiosity which these syllables had acquired during the conditioning. The results showed that a partially rewarded cue was evaluated as somewhat less “pleasant” than a continuously rewarded cue, but evoked more “curiosity” than either the continuous or nonrewarded cues. These effects emerged only for the contingency aware groups.
A herpesvirus ubiquitin-specific protease is critical for efficient T cell lymphoma formation

The herpesvirus ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family, whose founding member was discovered as a protease domain embedded in the large tegument protein of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), is conserved across all members of the Herpesviridae. Whether this conservation is indicative of an essential function of the enzyme in vivo has not yet been established. As reported here, USP activity is conserved in Marek's disease virus (MDV), a tumorigenic alphaherpesvirus. A single amino acid substitution that abolishes the USP activity of the MDV large tegument protein diminishes MDV replication in vivo, and severely limits the oncogenic potential of the virus. Expression of the USP transcripts in MDV-transformed cell lines further substantiates this hypothesis. The herpesvirus USP thus appears to be required not only to maintain a foothold in the immunocompetent host, but also to contribute to malignant outgrowths.
Etching of plasma‐polymerized tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, and sputtered polytetrafluoroethylene induced by atomic oxygen [O(3P)]

A study was carried out of the surface recession (etching) of thin films of plasma-polymerized tetrafluoroethylene (PPTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and ion-beam sputter-deposited polytetrafluoroethylene (SPTFE), exposed to atomic oxygen [O(3P)] downstream from a nonequilibrium radio-frequency O2 plasma. At 22°C, the etch rates for PTFE, SPTFE, and PPTFE were in the ratio of 8.7 : 1.0. A thin, conformal coating of PPTFE (etch rate of 0.3 nm/h at 22°C) was found to protect an underlying, cast film of a reactive polymer, cis-1,4-polybutadiene (etch rate of 0.13 mg/cm2 h ≡ 1300 nm/h at 22°C), against O(3P) attack for the time required to fully etch away the PPTFE coating. From ESCA analysis, PTFE exhibited only minor surface oxidation (uptake of 0.5 atom % O) upon etching, its F/C ratio decreasing slightly from 2.00 to 1.97; PPTFE exhibited considerable surface oxidation (uptake of 5.9 atom % O) and a decrease in F/C ratio from 1.30 to 1.23; and SPTFE exhibited a surface oxidation (uptake of 2.2 atom % O) intermediate between those of PTFE and PPTFE, with a decrease in F/C ratio from 1.73 to 1.67. The O(3P)-induced etching of PTFE had an activation energy of 3.8 Kcal/mol, but no activation energy value was obtained for PPTFE which gave a nonlinear Arrhenius plot apparently because of thermally induced thinning above 50°C.
Direct dimethyl-ether proton exchange membrane fuel cells and the use of heteropolyacids in the anode catalyst layer for enhanced dimethyl ether oxidation

Abstract In this study, polarization and impedance experiments were performed on a direct dimethyl ether fuel cell (DMEFC). The experimental setup allowed for independent control of water and DME flow rates. The DME flow rate, backpressure, and water flow rate were optimized. Three heteropolyacids, phosphomolybdic acid, H3PMo12O40. (HPMo), phosphotungstic acid, H3PW12O40, (HPW), and silicotungstic acid, H4SiW12O40, (HSiW) were incorporated into the anode catalyst layer in combination with Pt/C. Both HPW-Pt and HSiW-Pt showed higher overall performance than the Pt control. Anodic polarizations were also performed, at 30 psig, Tafel slopes of 67 mV dec−1, 72 mV dec−1, and 79 mV dec−1 were found for HPW-Pt, HSiW-Pt and the Pt control, respectively. At 0 psig, the Tafel slopes were 56 mV dec−1, 58 mV dec−1, and 65 mV dec−1 for HPW-Pt, HSiW-Pt and the Pt control. The trends in the Tafel slope values are in agreement with the polarization data and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results. The addition of phosphotungstic acid more than doubled the power density of the fuel cell, compared to the Pt control. When the maximum power density obtained using the HPW-Pt MEA is normalized by the mass of Pt used, the optimal result, 78 mW mg−1 Pt, the highest observed at 30 psig and 100 °C to date.
A simplified isolated perfused rat liver apparatus: characterization and measurement of extraction ratios of selected compounds.

Abstract A simplified isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) preparation has been developed and evaluated. The liver is briefly perfused in situ prior to being placed into a 37 °C oven and suspended from a stand. This set-up takes about 5 min. A non-recirculatory or one-pass perfusion approach has been used. The performance of the apparatus was evaluated with use of three model compounds: antipyrine, lidocaine and ethanol. In addition, oxygen extraction was determined. The steady-state extraction ratio (ER) was determined for each compound (and oxygen) as a function of perfusate flow rate (15–35 ml min ) during sequential 45 min perfusion periods. Perfusion experiments lasted for up to 3 hr. The ERs (at 15 ml min ) of ethanol (0.65 ± 0.15), lidocaine (0.91 ± 0.01) and oxygen (0.65 ± 0.10) were dependent upon perfusate flow; whereas, antipyrine ER (0.07 ± 0.01) was independent of flow. The corresponding values for unbound intrinsic clearances (CL u,int ) for antipyrine, ethanol, lidocaine and oxygen were: 1.6, 31.0, 158.0 and 27.5 ml min , respectively. These findings are consistent with the known hepatic ER values for those compounds reported in the literature.
A Comparison of Two Self-Report Measures of Children's Social Anxiety in Clinic and Community Samples

Examined the relations between the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C) and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children-Revised (SASC-R) in community (n = 178) and clinic (n = 57) samples. A large proportion of children exceeded the recommended SPAI-C and SASC-R cutoffs for suggesting clinically significant levels of social phobia and social anxiety in the community (37% SPAI-C and 20% SASC-R) and clinic (58% SPAI-C and 42% SASC-R) samples. A large proportion of children scoring in the clinical range on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) exceeded the SASC-R and SPAI-C cutoff scores; however, there was notable variability with respect to sample, age group (£10 years and ³11 years), sex, and measure (SPAI-C vs. SASC-R, and CBCL Internalizing vs. Social Competence scale). Using the recommended cutoffs, discriminant function analyses found the classification correspondence between the SPAI-C and SASC-R was significant, with some variability found in the 2 samples, age groups, and sexes (rangin...
Restricted expression of mutant SOD1 in spinal motor neurons and interneurons induces motor neuron pathology.

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons (MNs). Approximately 10% of ALS cases are familial (known as FALS), and ∼ 20% of FALS cases are caused by mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1). Mutant (MT) SOD1 induces FALS as a result of a toxicity that remains poorly defined. Several studies suggest that the toxicity involves a non-cell autonomous mechanism. In this study, we generated transgenic mice that had a restricted and repressible expression of MTSOD1 in spinal MNs and interneurons. Although the transgenic mice were not weak, they weighed less than control mice and had pathological and immunohistochemical abnormalities of MNs confined to cells that expressed MTSOD1. These results suggest that MTSOD1-induced MN degeneration is at least partly cell autonomous. Mouse models similar to the one presented here will be valuable for spatially and temporally controlling expression of mutant genes involved in neurodegenerative diseases.
Leave-one-out procedures for nonparametric error estimates

The use of nonparametric error estimates may lead to biased results if the kernel covariances are estimated from the same data as are used to form the error estimate. If additional design samples are available, one may eliminate this bias by estimating the class covariances using an independent set of data. If, however, additional samples are not available, one may resort to leave-one-out type estimates of the kernel (for Parzen estimates) or metric (for nearest-neighbor estimates) for every sample being tested. The authors present an efficient algorithm for computation of these leave-one-out type estimates that requires little additional computational burden over procedures currently in use. The presentation is applicable to both Parzen and k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) type estimates. Experimental results demonstrating the efficiency of the algorithm are provided. >
Regulation of Chemerin Bioactivity by Plasma Carboxypeptidase N, Carboxypeptidase B (Activated Thrombin-activable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor), and Platelets

Chemerin is a potent chemoattractant for cells expressing the serpentine receptor CMKLR1 (chemokine-like receptor 1), such as plasmacytoid dendritic cells and tissue macrophages. The bioactivity of chemerin is post-translationally regulated; the attractant circulates in blood in a relatively inactive form (prochemerin) and is activated by carboxyl-terminal proteolytic cleavage. We discovered that plasma carboxypeptidase N (CPN) and B (CPB or activated thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor, TAFIa) enhanced the bioactivity of 10-mer chemerin peptide NH2-YFPGQFAFSK-COOH by removing the carboxyl-terminal lysine (K). Sequential cleavages of either a prochemerin peptide (NH2-YFPGQFAFSKALPRS-COOH) or recombinant full-length prochemerin by plasmin and CPN/CPB substantially increased their chemotactic activities. Endogenous CPN present in circulating plasma enhanced the activity of plasmin-cleaved prochemerin. In addition, we discovered that platelets store chemerin protein and release it upon stimulation. Thus circulating CPN/CPB and platelets may potentially contribute to regulating the bioactivity of leukocyte chemoattractant chemerin, and further extend the molecular link between blood coagulation/fibrinolysis and CMKLR1-mediated immune responses.
Lung morphometry in guinea pigs acclimated to hypoxia during growth

Abstract The effect of chronic hypoxic exposure on lung development has been assessed in growing guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus ). Weanling males of initial W = 229 g were acclimated to a P O 2 of 80 Torr for 2–14 weeks before sacrifice (range of W = 244–965 g). Growth was the same in hypoxic animals as in controls maintained at a P O 2 of 133 Torr (range of W in controls = 89–1274 g). Lungs were fixed by tracheal installation of glutaraldehyde and examined morphometrically with the electron microscope. Within 3 weeks of exposure, lung volume ( vl ) and alveolar surface area (S a ) were significantly increased by 32% and 27% respectively in the hypoxia acclimated animals compared to controls of similar W. However, these differences were progressively reduced with increasing time of exposure, and mean values of vl and S a were not different between groups when W > 900 g. Chronic hypoxia accelerated lung development towards normal adult dimensions to a degree remarkably similar to that reported in cold acclimated guinea pigs. These findings are compatable with the theory of adaptive lung growth mediated by increased pulmonary blood flow, and suggest anatomical limitations to such growth related to an animal's age.
Establishing Valid Arguments by Computer and Storing their Meanings: a Premiss of form A of Aristotelian Logic

Important to the performance of interactive systems is the ability of its members to establish valid arguments. The type of arguments discussed here contains a premiss of form A of the Aristotelian logic, a second premiss and the conclusion, and the deductive process involves the predicate logic. Knowledge structures for storing the meanings of the arguments are based on principles for general automata and are in the form of graphs. After recognizing the knowledge structures for the premisses by a computer, determining conclusions and storing the meanings of the conclusions become a standard procedure.
The Relationship Between College Women’s Sexual Attitudes and Sexual Activity: The Mediating Role of Body Image

ABSTRACT. This study examined the relationship between sexual attitudes and engagement in sexual activity among a sample of 401 college women. In addition, we investigated the potential role of body image as a mediator of this relationship. Online surveys included self-report measures of sexual attitudes ranging from liberal to conservative, body image satisfaction, and frequency of sexual activity. Results indicated that more liberal sexual attitudes were directly linked with more frequent sexual activity. Whereas mediation was not evident, indirect effects existed such that more liberal sexual attitudes were associated with higher body image satisfaction, which, in turn, was associated with increased sexual activity. Clearly, sexual attitudes and body image are important cognitive factors that affect women's sexual activity, yet each influence alone is not enough to explain the complex process that leads to sexual behavior. Although cross-sectional in nature, our findings suggest that body image and sex...
Darwin Is Dead—Long Live Evolution

Exploring Gould9s science, politics, and their intersections, Prindle holds that they constitute a consistent whole.
Enhanced NIR Spectral Reconstruction with Ti:Sapphire Laser Based FD System

A Ti:Sapphire laser based frequency-domain NIR tomography system was created with custom heterodyne detection. Gelatin phantom imaging with varying numbers of wavelengths showed superior recovery of hemoglobin concentration with increasing wavelengths included.
Radiation Characteristics of a Multimode Concentric Circular Microstrip Patch Antenna by Controlling Amplitude and Phase of Modes

Conventional method of beam scanning such as phased array antenna is costly by using multiple antenna elements and phase shifters. In this communication, a different method is investigated to achieve beam scanning. A multimode concentric circular microstrip patch antenna on a single substrate layer backed by a finite ground plane is presented where radiation patterns are reconfigurable. Pattern reconfiguration is achieved by exciting higher order TMn1 modes in addition to the dominant TM11 mode. Next, limited beam scan performance for linear polarization by employing mode combination and control of the amplitude and phase values is demonstrated. A prototype multimode patch antenna was fabricated and experimentally verified for the individual modes impedance matching and radiation patterns which showed acceptable agreement. The beam scan performance for a selected combination of modes of the patch was also measured.
Activation of crude and homogeneous juvenile hormone esterases by organic solvents

A variety of water-miscible organic solvents caused profound activation of the homogeneous juvenile hormone esterase from Manduca sexta. Much lower activation was observed with other species. Methods for the handling of solutions of juvenile hormone are presented. The implications of solvent activation of juvenile hormone esterase activity are discussed, especially as they relate to analysis of the enzyme or titre determinations of juvenile hormone. In the Lepidoptera examined, a highly specialized group of enzymes termed juvenile hormone esterases (JHEs) appear to be involved in the regulation of juvenile hormone (JH) titres (Hammock, 1985). These enzymes have a low Km and a relatively high k~, indicating that they should be effective for the rapid clearance of JH at critical periods in develop- ment such as in the prepupa of species which show a high titre of JH during post-wandering develop- ment. The enzymes also should be capable, in con- junction with the haemolymph carrier protein, of extracting trace levels of JH from lipophilic depots, reducing levels of JH in specific tissues, and ensuring that JH titres are maintained at a low level even when biosynthesis is not totally halted. Recent data sug- gesting a possible biological role for JH acid may indicate that JHEs even have a biosynthetic role. Since substrates and possible inhibitors are usually added in a water-miscible organic solvent to JHE, we examined the effects of ethanol of JHE activity. Surprisingly, it caused a profound increase in the activity of the pure JHE isolated from haemolymph of Manduca sexta. Such solvents are commonly present in enzyme incubations and are assumed to inactivate JH metabolism when insects are extracted for analysis of JH. Therefore, we surveyed the effects of a variety of organic solvents on the activity of JHE in several species.
Effects of starvation, refeeding, and fat feeding on adipocyte ghost adenyl cyclase activity

Basal adenyl cyclase activity and its response to epinephrine and glucagon were studied in isolated adipocyte ghosts obtained from fed, starved, refed, and fat-diet-adapted rats. Epinephrine stimulation of adenyl cyclase was significantly increased in fasted rats, but the glucagon response did not change. Rats fasted for 48 hr and refed a high carbohydrate, low fat diet for 48 or 96 hr showed no differences from chow-fed animals in either basal or hormone-stimulated adenyl cyclase activity. Rats adapted to a high fat, low carbohydrate diet showed an initial and transitory increase in basal activity but a progressive loss of epinephrine- and glucagon-stimulated enzyme activities. The loss in hormone responsiveness correlated well with a decrease in hormone-stimulated lipolysis of fat pads and was associated with a significant increase in fat cell diameter.
Activation of a G protein complex by aggregation of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase on the surface of sperm

Fertilization is initiated by the species-specific binding of sperm to the extracellular coat of the egg. One sperm receptor for the mouse egg is beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (GalTase), which binds O-linked oligosaccharides on the egg coat glycoprotein ZP3. ZP3 binding induces acrosomal exocytosis through the activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein). The cytoplasmic domain of sperm surface GalTase bound to and activated a heterotrimeric G protein complex that contained the Gi alpha subunit. Aggregation of GalTase by multivalent ligands elicited G protein activation. Sperm from transgenic mice that overexpressed GalTase had higher rates of G protein activation than did wild-type sperm, which rendered transgenic sperm hypersensitive to their ZP3 ligand. Thus, the cytoplasmic domain of cell surface GalTase appears to enable it to function as a signal-transducing receptor for extracellular oligosaccharide ligands.
Resource-sharing and service deployment in virtual data centers

The expectation of a global presence of services leads to the need for large numbers of service instances allocated in a multitude of regional data centers in order to provide sufficient service capacity close to where the demand occurs. Scale of service instances is anticipated growing /spl Gt/10/sup 4/ raising new challenges for control and management. Pragmatically, it must become much easier to deploy service instances in data center, allocating resources, sharing them, installing and configuring data and software needed for service instances and integrating them into a singular service that appears to a consumer. Adjusting numbers and locations of service instances is seen as a basic control mechanism in order to follow regional or temporal fluctuations in demands. The paper proposes a new concept of virtualizing whole data center environments and quickly deploying massive amounts of service instances. A virtualization layer takes care of resource allocation from different data center locations and all specifics when service instances are allocated in a particular data center. Virtualized data centers provide a consistent operating environment spanning multiple physical data center locations for the whole family of service instances. And vice versa, physical data centers host several execution environments for different services. After a brief discussion of challenges coming with the scale of service instances we anticipate, the paper overviews virtual data centers and discusses one aspect in more detail how massive amounts of service instances can be deployed using a recursive approach.
Towards Internet voting security: A threat tree for risk assessment

The Internet is a dangerous place for any critical application and is particularly risky for binding government elections where every vote must count. The complex interplay of people, processes, equipment, software, policies, and legislation in a networked environment that spans national boundaries makes, for example, determining the precise likelihood of a threat nearly impossible. This does not mean, however, that the risk analyst cannot model, understand, and assess the risks to Internet voting systems. To that end, this paper presents a threat tree for risks to Internet voting systems. The Internet voting threat tree was successfully vetted by a panel of elections officials, security experts, academics, election law attorneys, representation from governmental agencies, voting equipment vendors, and voting equipment testing labs. We submit that this threat tree is sufficiently abstract to be useful in a wide range of risk assessment techniques.
High-Brightness Wavelength Beam Combined Semiconductor Laser Diode Arrays

We report the wavelength beam combining of an array of high-power high-brightness 970-nm slab-coupled optical waveguide lasers. A 50-W peak power under quasi-continuous-wave (CW) operation was measured in an output beam with a beam quality of Mx,y 2=1.2, and 30 W under CW operation was measured with a beam quality of Mx,y 2=2
Molecular Properties of an NMDA Receptor Complex and Effects of Ethanol on the Expression of this Complex

One of the currently held beliefs about ethanol is that some of the acute and chronic effects of this alcohol on the central nervous system (CNS) of humans and experimental animals are the result of changes in the activity of glutamate neurotransmission in the brain and spinal cord. This belief is based on the recent demonstrations that ethanol inhibits the activity of a subset of neuronal receptors for the excitatory amino acid L-glutamic acid, the class of receptors known as the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). These acute effects of ethanol on excitatory neurotransmitter function have been demonstrated for neurons grown in vitro in primary neuronal cultures as well as for neurons in brain slices (Hoffman et al., 1989; Lima-Landman and Albuquerque, 1989; Lovinger et al., 1989, 1990; White et al., 1990). The NMDAR is a subtype of the ion-channel forming receptors in the brain that are activated by the excitatory neurotransmitter L-glutamic acid (Watkins et al., 1990).
Comparison of clinical signs and hemodynamic state in the early hours of transmural myocardial infarction.

The initial PCW, Killip-Scheidt classification, presence of third heart sound, and mortality were compared in 90 patients presenting with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Clinical and hemodynamic assessment was performed within 12 hours (time to clinical classification = 4.7 ± 2.7 hours (mean ± SD), time to hemodynamic assessment = 5.8 ± 2.4) of the sentinel event. A poor correlation was observed between early Killip-Scheidt clinical classification and early hemodynamic state when measured as percent correct classification (66%) or as a Kappa statistic (36% for the total population, 9% for nonsurvivors). Increased initial LVFP (>18 mm Hg) was associated with increased mortality (p < 0.01) and early clinical classification was not. Addition of third heart sound information did not alter this observation.
Connectivity Analysis of a Mobile Vehicular Ad Hoc Network with Dynamic Node Population

Network connectivity is a critical metric for the planning, design, and evaluation of ad hoc networks. In this paper, the connectivity properties of a linear vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) with high speed mobile nodes and dynamic node populations are investigated. The nodes are assumed to be arriving at the network following a Poisson distribution, and the speed of each node is modeled as a wide sense stationary ergodic random process. Based on these assumptions, a new mobility model is developed to represent the steady state node distributions in terms of random node locations and random node populations. The mobility model accurately captures the statistical properties of a mobile network with rapidly changing network topologies and network densities. Exact closed-form connectivity probability expressions are developed with the assistance of the volume of an n-dimensional hypercube intersected by an n-dimensional hyperplane. The impacts of key network parameters, such as node arrival rate, random node speed, and node transmission range, are incorporated in the analytical expressions. The results can be used to determine the transmission power that can ensure network connectivity while minimizing interference in a VANET.
The Effect of Religious Leaders’ Emotional and Social Competencies on Improving Parish Vibrancy

Pastoral leaders of parishes have an effect on people’s lives and communities. Improvement in parishioner satisfaction and support (i.e., donations and attendance) over 3 years were assessed with t...