cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CATHOLIC ETHICS AS SEEN FROM PADUA

During the summer of 2006, over four hundred Catholic ethicists from around the world gathered for four days in Padua, Italy. About sixty of the conference papers have become available in two edited collections, Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church: The Plenary Papers from the First Cross-cultural Conference on Catholic Theological Ethics, and Applied Ethics in a World Church: The Padua Conference. As the conference was marked by a distinctive and creative tension—between the diversity which characterized the nationalities and cultural identities of the participants, on the one hand, and the commonness of their religious heritage, on the other—these essays can tell us much about contemporary Catholic ethics in its response to global pluralism. The following develops four reflections. First, the conference papers pursue a style of scholarship that is at once critically creative and ecclesially rooted. Second, the conference raises new concerns about the importance that Christian formation must have in a pluralist world. Third, the participants affirm and defend the ultimate universality of moral goods while also arguing that these goods are expressed and embodied in unavoidably particular ways. Finally, the most important contribution that Catholic ethics can make to public conversations about issues of common concern is through its articulation and defense of key human values.
'Unmasking' of stored maternal mRNAs and the activation of protein synthesis at fertilization in sea urchins.

The isolation and in vitro assay of maternal mRNPs has led to differing conclusions as to whether maternal mRNAs in sea urchin eggs are in a repressed or ‘masked’ form. To circumvent the problems involved with in vitro approaches, we have used an in vivo assay to determine if the availability of mRNA and/or components of the translational machinery are limiting protein synthesis in the unfertilized egg. This assay involves the use of a protein synthesis elongation inhibitor to create a situation in the egg in which there is excess translational machinery available to bind mRNA. Eggs were fertilized and the rate of entry into polysomes of individual mRNAs was measured in inhibitor-treated and control embryos using 32P-labeled cDNA probes. The fraction of ribosomes in polysomes and the polysome size were also determined. The results from this in vivo approach provide strong evidence for the coactivation of both mRNAs and components of the translational machinery following fertilization. The average polysome size increases from 7.5 ribosomes per message in 15 min embryos to approximately 10.8 ribosomes in 2 h embryos. This result gives additional support to the idea that translational machinery, as well as mRNA, is activated following fertilization. We also found that individual mRNAs are recruited into polysomes with different kinetics, and that the fraction of an mRNA in polysomes in the unfertilized egg correlates with the rate at which that mRNA is recruited into polysomes following fertilization.
Autism-Like Behavior and Epigenetic Changes Associated with Autism as Consequences of In Utero Exposure to Environmental Pollutants in a Mouse Model.

We tested the hypothesis that in utero exposure to heavy metals increases autism-like behavioral phenotypes in adult animals and induces epigenetic changes in genes that have roles in the etiology of autism. Mouse dams were treated with cadmium, lead, arsenate, manganese, and mercury via drinking water from gestational days (E) 1–10. Valproic acid (VPA) injected intraperitoneally once on (E) 8.5 served as a positive control. Young male offspring were tested for behavioral deficits using four standardized behavioral assays. In this study, in utero exposure to heavy metals resulted in multiple behavioral abnormalities that persisted into adulthood. VPA and manganese induced changes in perseverative/impulsive behavior and social dominance behavior, arsenic caused changes only in perseverative/impulsive behavior, and lead induced abnormalities in social interaction in comparison to the control animals. Brain samples from Mn, Pb, and VPA treated and control animals were evaluated for changes in CpG island methylation in promoter regions and associated changes in gene expression. The Chd7 gene, essential for neural crest cell migration and patterning, was found to be hypomethylated in each experimental animal tested compared to water-treated controls. Furthermore, distinct patterns of CpG island methylation yielded novel candidate genes for further investigation.
Unique equilibrium states for flows and homeomorphisms with non-uniform structure

Abstract Using an approach due to Bowen, Franco showed that continuous expansive flows with specification have unique equilibrium states for potentials with the Bowen property. We show that this conclusion remains true using weaker non-uniform versions of specification, expansivity, and the Bowen property. We also establish a corresponding result for homeomorphisms. In the homeomorphism case, we obtain the upper bound from the level-2 large deviations principle for the unique equilibrium state. The theory presented in this paper provides the basis for an ongoing program to develop the thermodynamic formalism in partially hyperbolic and non-uniformly hyperbolic settings.
Effect of Temperature on Firmness of Raw Fruits and Vegetables

The firmness of a number of fruits and vegetables was measured by deformation, extrusion and puncture tests over the temperature range 0-45°C. Most commodities showed decreasing firmness with increasing temperature but there were several exceptions to this general rule. For the majority of the commodities tested the firmness-temperature relationship was approximately linear. The firmness-temperature coefficient is defined as [(firmness at T2– firmness at T1)/(firmness at T1 (T2− T1)] × 100 (percent change in firmness per degree temperature change) where T1= lowest temperature and T2= highest temperature at which firmness is measured. The firmness-temperature coefficient ranged from -1.65 for apricot to +0.12 for carrot using the puncture principle, from −0.97 for Baby Gold peach to +7.7 for large Canoga strawberries tested between 30–45°C using the deformation principle, and from -0.04 for Golden Delicious apple stored 7 months to −1.34 for NK199 sweet corn using the extrusion principle.
Two-dimensional acoustic scanning of optical images

We report a new surface-acoustic-wave (s.a.w.) device of the separated media convolver type. Waves are launched along two perpendicular axes and they perform a diagonal raster scan of the semiconductor surface. Two-dimensional images of 6×6 points with 1.5 μs line duration have been obtained.
Serpentoanisocladium sinense n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from the eastern water snake Sinonatrix percarinata (Boulenger) (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Guizhou Province, China.

Serpentoanisocladium sinense n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) is described from the intestine of the eastern water snake Sinonatrix percarinata (Boulenger) (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Guizhou Province, China. This digenean is morphologically most similar to members of Anisocladium Looss, 1902 and, to a lesser extent, Anisocoelium Luhe, 1900, which are parasites of marine teleost fish in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The new genus and species can be differentiated from the two known species of Anisocladium by the position of the vitellarium in relation to the gonads and seminal vesicle, a much longer oesophagus, a shorter caecum only reaching the anterior margin of the anterior testis, the presence of a muscular sucker-like gonotyl, the lack of circumoral spines and the peculiar position of the uterus, which is confined to the same half of the body as the longer caecum. The new genus and species can be differentiated from the only known species of Anisocoelium by the substantially higher body length to width ratio, a much longer oesophagus, the arrangement of the vitelline follicles, the postovarian versus pre-ovarian seminal receptacle, the presence of a well-defined muscular gonotyl and the length of the shorter caecum. A diagnosis of the new genus and a description of the new species are provided. This is the first cryptogonimid found in snakes from China and the first cryptogonimid reported from S. percarinata.
RADAR ANALYSIS OF PRECIPITATION STREAMERS OBSERVED 25 FEBRUARY 1954

Abstract A radar study of the streamers of 25 February 1954 at Cambridge, Mass., indicates that horizontal bands of rain are produced by the action of wind shear on the precipitation particles. It is suggested that a “generating layer,” responsible for the streamer formation, consists of a cumuliform cloud configuration within which ice crystals grow rapidly both by sublimation and by riming.
On the Nielsen type and the classification for the mapping class group

Let S be a compact surface of genus g with n boundary components, with 2g - 2 + n > 0, and let M(S) be its mapping class group (also known as the Teichmiiller modular group). Using measurd foliations, Thurston [ 15 ] has shown that M(S) contains three different types of elements. Bers has shown this decomposition can be obtained using Teichmiiller distance [3]. Subdividing one of the classes further, he obtains four classes. Nielsen has a series of papers [7; 8, Parts I-III] in which he develops an elaborate theory of fixed points of mapping classes. If t is any homeomorphism of S and h a lift of t (or of a power of 1) to the upper half plane, Nielsen’s theory involves the assignment of a pair of integers to h, called the Nielsen type of h. The purpose of this paper is to show how the Thurston classes and the Bers classes can be defined in terms of the Nielsen types of the lifts of
Status of a national disaster medical response

DISASTER MEDICINE is in its infancy in the United States. Aside from the periodic reminder to update our disaster plans for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and conduct a couple of drills each year, no one tends to think about the exceptionally remote possibility of a catastrophic event—although it will surely occur. In the midst of this overwhelming indifference, three events occurred during the last decade that served to heighten our sensibilities to disaster preparedness. In 1980, Mount St Helens blew its top, accelerating a series of federal activities that were already initiated, culminating in the creation of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)—a purely voluntary system with no allocated budget. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo and the Loma Prieta earthquake occurred only months apart and tested the NDMS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These disasters demonstrated a number of weaknesses in both
Friction stir processing of commercial AZ31 magnesium alloy

Abstract Recently friction stir processing (FSP) has emerged as an effective tool for enhancing sheet metal properties through microstructure modification. Significant grain refinement and homogenization can be achieved in a single FSP pass leading to improved formability, especially at elevated temperatures. FSP is a solid-state process where the material within the processed zone undergoes intense plastic deformation resulting in dynamically recrystallized grain structure. Most of the research conducted on FSP focuses on aluminum alloys. Despite the potential weight reduction that can be achieved using magnesium alloys, very little is reported on FSP of magnesium alloys. In this work, we examine the possibility of using FSP to modify the microstructure and properties of commercial AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy sheets. The effect of various process parameters on thermal histories, resulting microstructure and properties are investigated. Preliminary results are promising and it is shown that FSP leads to finer and more homogenized grain structure.
Computation offloading to save energy on handheld devices: a partition scheme

We consider handheld computing devices which are connected to a server (or a powerful desktop machine) via a wireless LAN. On such devices, it is often possible to save the energy on the handheld by offloading its computation to the server. In this work, based on profiling information on computation time and data sharing at the level of procedure calls, we construct a cost graph for a given application program. We then apply a partition scheme to statically divide the program into server tasks and client tasks such that the energy consumed by the program is minimized. Experiments are performed on a suite of multimedia benchmarks. Results show considerable energy saving for several programs through offloading.
The influence of SiC particle size and volume fraction on the thermal conductivity of spark plasma sintered UO2–SiC composites

Abstract This study examines the influence of Silicon Carbide (SiC) particle addition on thermal conductivity of UO 2 –SiC composite pellets. UO 2 powder and β-SiC particles of different sizes and of different volume fractions were mechanically mixed and sintered at 1350–1450 °C for 5 min by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The particle size (0.6–55 μm diameter) and volume fraction (5–20%) of SiC were systematically varied to investigate their influence on the resulting UO 2 –SiC composite pellet microstructure and the thermal properties. It was found that SiC particle size less than 16.9 μm with larger volume fraction is more effective for improving the thermal conductivity of the fuel pellets. Scanning Electron Microscopy examination revealed micro-cracking and interfacial debonding in the composites containing larger size SiC particles (16.9 and 55 μm) which resulted in reduced thermal conductivity. For the UO 2 –SiC composite pellets containing 1 μm diameter SiC particles, the thermal conductivity increased almost linearly with volume fraction of particles. However, the addition of a larger volume fraction of SiC reduces the amount of heavy metal in the composite pellet and therefore a higher U-235 enrichment is necessary to compensate for the heavy metal loss. The experimental thermal conductivity values of the UO 2 –SiC composite pellets are in good agreement with the theoretical values based on the available model in the literature.
Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling mitigates the antiproliferative and antiinvasive effects of α-difluoromethylornithine in breast cancer cells

We have shown that α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, the first and rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis, has significant antiproliferative and antiinvasive effects in breast cancer cells. We have also reported that these antitumor effects are associated with activation of multiple signaling pathways, including STAT-3, STAT-1, Jun-N-Terminal kinase (JNK), and Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), the latter being found to mediate its antiinvasive action in MDA-MB-435 cells. The present experiments were designed to test the effect of DFMO on the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and determine its biological significance. We found that DFMO administration (1 mM) to MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells significantly increased cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation as well as the transactivation of pCRE-luc, a CREB-dependent promoter activated by PKA. To determine the significance of this biochemical effect of DFMO, we used the PKA inhibitor H89 which, as expected, suppressed in a dose-dependent manner (1 and 10 μM) basal and DFMO-induced CREB phosphorylation in our system. Administration of H89 alone was able to suppress proliferation of MDA-MB-435 cells when used at a concentration (10 μM) shown to completely block basal CREB phosphorylation. At concentrations of 0.5 and 1 μM, H89 treatment, while having no antiproliferative effect of its own, potentiated in a dose-dependent fashion the growth inhibitory action of a suboptimal concentration of DFMO (0.01 mM). Ten micromoles of H89 reduced invasiveness of MDA-MB-435 cells in matrigel by ∼40% (an effect similar to that of 1 mM DFMO). The combination treatment further reduced invasiveness by ∼80% (P < 0.01 versus the individual treatments). H89 treatment (10 μM) partially reduced DFMO-induced phosphorylation of STAT-3 but not that of STAT-1, Extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), and JNK. In conclusion, our results indicate that PKA signaling exerts proproliferative and proinvasive effects in our experimental system. Therefore, its activation by DFMO represents a compensatory mechanism which should be blocked in order to maximize the antitumor action of the drug. Our data are also consistent with the notion that STAT-3 activation by DFMO is at least in part mediated through the PKA pathway.
Positive and Negative Regulation of Muscle Cell Identity by Members of the hedgehog and TGF-β Gene Families

We have examined whether the development of embryonic muscle fiber type is regulated by competing influences between Hedgehog and TGF-β signals, as previously shown for development of neuronal cell identity in the neural tube. We found that ectopic expression of Hedgehogs or inhibition of protein kinase A in zebrafish embryos induces slow muscle precursors throughout the somite but muscle pioneer cells only in the middle of the somite. Ectopic expression in the notochord of Dorsalin-1, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, inhibits the formation of muscle pioneer cells, demonstrating that TGF-β signals can antagonize the induction of muscle pioneer cells by Hedgehog. We propose that a Hedgehog signal first induces the formation of slow muscle precursor cells, and subsequent Hedgehog and TGF-β signals exert competing positive and negative influences on the development of muscle pioneer cells.
Pharmacological characterization of the newly synthesized nociceptin/orphanin FQ-receptor agonist 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole as an anxiolytic agent.

Abstract Nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP)-receptor agonists have been shown to produce anxiolytic-like effects in rodents subjected to various behavioral assays. Recently, we developed a new nonpeptide agonist of the NOP receptor, 1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2-[(3R)-3-piperidinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (MCOPPB), as an anxiolytic agent. MCOPPB has a high affinity for the human NOP receptor (pKi = 10.07 ± 0.01) and selectivity for the NOP receptor over other members of the opioid receptor family: 12-, 270- and >1000-fold more selective for the NOP receptor than for the μ-, κ-, and δ-receptor, respectively. In an ex vivo binding study, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited signaling through the NOP receptor in the mouse brain, suggesting that it penetrated into the brain after it was orally administered. In the mouse Vogel conflict test, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and diazepam (3 mg/kg, p.o.) elicited anxiolytic-like effects, although MCOPPB produced a bell-shaped response curve. In addition, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was still effective as an anxiolytic agent even after repeated administration for 5 days. MCOPPB at an oral dose of 10 mg/kg did not affect locomotor activity or memory, nor did it contribute to ethanol-induced hypnosis. On the other hand, the benzodiazepine-type anxiolytic agent diazepam caused memory deficits and enhanced ethanol-induced hypnosis. These findings suggest that MCOPPB –a compound with few adverse effects on the central nervous system –is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of anxiety.
Pattern of dental eruption, skeletal maturation and stress in a Medieval Population from Sudanese Nubia

The present research represents a comparison of dental and skeletal development as a means for determining nutritional stress in a Medieval Christian population from Nubia’sBatn el Hajar. The sample consists of 21 individuals from an early Christian (c 550–750) and 23 individuals from a late Christian cemetery (c mid-16th century) excavated from the site of Kulubnarti, Sudan. Ages at death ranged from 12 to 23 years. For the combined sample, a large majority (70.5%) of individuals had skeletal ages younger than their dental ages. However, a comparison of those individuals that could be sexed revealed that the pattern was not consistent for males and females. Females showed no difference between skeletal and dental age while males showed significant skeletal retardation. This pattern of sex differences is consistent with that observed for modern living children and subadults experiencing nutritional stress. A comparison by cemetry also suggests a reduction in stress from early to late Christian times with later Christians showing a closer correspondence between skeletal and dental ages. While not statistically significant, this apparent reduction is consistent with previous research on the subadult remains.
Prompt Fission Neutrons and Gamma Rays in a Monte Carlo Hauser-Feshbach Formalism

Abstract Prompt fission neutrons and γ rays are calculated in the framework of the statistical Hauser-Feshbach formalism applied to the decay of excited primary fission fragments, and implemented in a Monte Carlo approach in the CGMF code. Distributions, cor- relations and exclusive data on neutrons and γ rays are inferred, in addition to the more commonly assessed average spectrum and multiplicity. Questions related to the initial conditions that characterize the fission fragment configurations in deformation, excitation energy, spin and parity, are discussed at some length, and their impact on computed solutions are reviewed. The case of 252 Cf spontaneous fission is used to illustrate typical results obtained in this framework.
Improving patient care at the University of Virginia Health System: A systems approach to examining inpatient medication distribution

Medication replacements are reorders resulting from errors in the medication distribution process due to the perceived or actual unavailability of the right medication at the required place and time. Avoidable medication replacements hinder and detract from the quality of a medical systempsilas patient care, lead to inflated costs and waste of financial resources, decrease efficiency and productivity of nurses and pharmacists, and have a negative impact on employee morale - and they are not isolated or rare occurrences. A systems analysis approach is being used to examine various methods of improving the medication distribution process of the University of Virginia Health System with the goal of reducing the number of avoidable medication replacements.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF EXERCISE CAPACITY, HEART RATE RESERVE, AND HEART RATE RECOVERY FOR PREDICTING ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY

Exercise capacity (EC), chronotropic incompetence, measured by the % heart rate (HR) reserve achieved (%HR-reserve), and abnormal HR-recovery are known predictors of all-cause mortality (ACM). We examined the effects of these variables for predicting ACM in men and women undergoing exercise
Emission spectrum of the AlS molecule

Abstract A system of red-degraded bands in the region 3700–4800 A. has been obtained from a King furnace containing aluminum, sulfur, and argon at 1800°C. Assignment of the bands to the A2, Σ+-X2Σ+ transition of the AlS molecule has been confirmed by high-dispersion photographs. The 3-0, 2-0, 1-0, 0-0, 0-1, and 0-2 bands have been measured and, from the analysis, the following constants have been determined (cm−1): T e ω e ω e x e B e α e A 23433.80 510.91 1.45 0.2461 0.0012 X 0 617.12 3.33 0.2799 0.0018
Dopamine toxicity following long term exposure to low doses of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) in rats.

Abstract A toxin produced by legumes of the genus Astragalus and Arthrinium fungi, 3-NPA is a suicide inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase and causes acute encephalopathy and late onset dystonia. It has been suggested that dopamine (DA) toxicity plays a role in 3-NPA induced brain damage. In order to simulate natural conditions of toxicant intake, adult, male, Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 3-NPA weekly for 24-h periods at 10 and 20 mg/40 ml in drinking water. This dosing regimen continued for 3 months with animals from both high and low dose groups sacrificed at the end of each month. Dopamine and its metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxylphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), were assessed by HPLC-EC in the frontal cortex (FC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Increases of DA concentration were seen in both low and high dose groups in the CN after 1 and 3 months of dosing and in the FC after 2 months of exposure. An increase in DA turnover was observed in the CN of the high dose group following 2 months of dosing. Data suggest an activation of the dopaminergic system after long-term, intermittent exposure to 3-NPA. The production of radical oxygen species associated with DA metabolism may contribute to 3-NPA-induced neurotoxicity.
Experimental manipulation of natural plant communities

Attempts to elucidate the factors controlling the structure of plant communities have relied increasingly on field experiments. This is a powerful approach for testing theoretical predictions that offers important advantages over observational and comparative studies. However, field experiments suffer from intrinsic difficulties as well as more-easily remediable limitations. Recent progress has been made by new approaches including the use of multifactor experiments, and the development and dissemination of better statistical tools.
On the Theory of Interfacial Energy and Elastic Strain of Epitaxial Overgrowths in Parallel Alignment on Single Crystal Substrates

Refined expressions, amendable to experimental testing, for the equilibrium elastic strains in epitaxial overgrowths are derived, based on earlier theories by van der Merwe and Cabrera. Continuous films as well as isolated nuclei on substrates are considered. Aufbauend auf den Theorien von van der Merwe und Cabrera werden verbesserte Gleichungen entwickelt, die die elastischen Verformungen von orientierten, aufgewachsenen Oberflachenschichten beschreiben. Sowohl zusammenhangende Filme als auch einzelne Keime werden betrachtet. Die Gleichungen konnen experimentell gepruft werden.
Recurrence of PVCs in patients with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy

Background The natural history of premature ventricular complex (PVC)–induced cardiomyopathy is incompletely understood. Objective The purpose of this study was to assess long term follow-up data in patients who underwent successful PVC ablation for PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Methods The subjects of this study were 60 patients (17 women; mean age 52.5 ± 16.8 years; ejection fraction [EF] 37.3 ± 8.5%, median 40%, interquartile range [IQR] 15) with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy who underwent successful ablation of their predominant PVCs between 2005 and 2012. Patients were followed up for a mean of 23.6 ± 17.2 months. EF improved to 57.2 ± 4.7% (median 55%, IQR 5; P = .0001) within 9.6 ± 8.4 months of the ablation procedure. During follow-up, 10 of 60 patients (16.7%) had recurrent frequent PVCs and 50 patients (83.3%) did not. Patients underwent repeat assessment of EF and PVC burden. Results During follow-up of 23.6 ± 17.2 months, 10 patients had recurrent frequent PVCs, with an increase of their PVC burden from 1.4 ± 0.9% (median 1.05%, IQR 1.59) after the initial ablation to 27.2 ± 8.8% (median 26.0%, IQR 18.2; P = .018). Their EF decreased from 55.7 ± 3.4% (median 55%, IQR 5.8) after the initial ablation to 40.2 ± 5.1% (median 40%, IQR 15; P = .005). In the remaining patients with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy, EF and PVC burden remained unchanged during follow-up. Patients with PVC recurrence had a higher number of pleomorphic PVC morphologies during initial presentation (4.7 ± 2.2 vs 2.5 ± 2.8, P = .002). Conclusion Recurrence of frequent PVCs in patients with a history of PVC cardiomyopathy can result in recurrence of cardiomyopathy. Follow-up in patients with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy is important, especially if patients were asymptomatic from the PVCs and have pleomorphic PVCs.
Which type of medical group provides higher-quality care?

The quality of medical care depends on individual physicians and on the organization in which they work. In this issue, Mehrotra and colleagues compare medical groups, independent practice associat...
Evaluation of Operational Model Cyclone Structure Forecasts during Extratropical Transition

Abstract Cyclone structure is known to be directly linked to the sensible weather effects produced by the weather system. The extratropical transition (ET) process leads to immense changes in cyclone structure and therefore to changes in the associated weather experienced. Although structure is clearly an important cyclone characteristic, validation of cyclone structure forecasts in operational numerical models has not been previously performed. In this study, short-term (12–36 h) forecasts of cyclone structure from tropical genesis to the completion of ET are validated using fields from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System and the NCEP Aviation model. The cyclone phase space (CPS) is used to quantify differences between forecast and analyzed storm structure, both on a point-by-point basis and through a cyclone-type-based comparison. This cyclone-type comparison exploits a previously defined breakdown of cyclone structure regimes in the CPS. The impacts of synthetic vortex insertion o...
An integrated framework for science-based arid land management

Science is frequently touted as the solution to dryland management problems, yet most management decisions are, by necessity, based primarily on expert knowledge and experience. This paper describes an integrated framework for organizing, synthesizing, and applying our growing understanding of aridland ecosystems using a flexible, multi-objective assessment, monitoring, and management approach. The framework is dual-purpose: (1) to coordinate the use of existing tools, resources, and diffuse knowledge, and (2) to facilitate the integration and application of new knowledge as it is developed. In particular, this framework must facilitate the integration of new knowledge about linkages among landscape units across scales. The framework includes five elements: (1) an ecological site-based approach for categorizing land based on soils and climate, (2) a repository for organizing existing data and knowledge about each ecological site, (3) conceptual models that organize information on the impacts of management and climate variability, and protocols for (4) assessing and (5) monitoring key ecosystem attributes fundamental to a variety of management objectives. Within this framework, basic and applied research are explicitly linked to management of arid and semi-arid ecosystems to more effectively articulate research questions and set research priorities.
NMR Characterization of Full-length Farnesylated and Non-farnesylated H-Ras and its Implications for Raf Activation

The C terminus, also known as the hypervariable region (residues 166-189), of H-, N-, and K-Ras proteins has sequence determinants necessary for full activation of downstream effectors such as Raf kinase and PI-3 kinase as well as for the correct targeting of Ras proteins to lipid rafts and non-raft membranes. There is considerable interest in understanding how residues in the extreme C terminus of the different Ras proteins and farnesylation of the CaaX box cysteine affect Ras membrane localization and allosteric activation of Raf kinase. To provide insights into the structural and dynamic changes that occur in Ras upon farnesylation, we have used NMR spectroscopy to compare the properties of truncated H-Ras (1-166), to non-processed full-length H-Ras (residues 1-185) and full-length (1-189) farnesylated H-Ras. We report that the C-terminal helix alpha-5 extends to residue N172, and the remaining 17 amino acid residues in the C terminus are conformationally averaged in solution. Removal of either 23 or 18 amino acid residues from the C terminus of full length H-Ras generates truncated H-Ras (1-166) and H-Ras (1-171) proteins, respectively, that have been structurally characterized and are biochemical active. Here we report that C-terminal truncation of H-Ras results in minor structural and dynamic perturbations that are propagated throughout the H-Ras protein including increased flexibility of the central beta-sheet and the C-terminal helix alpha-5. Ordering of residues in loop-2, which is involved in Raf CRD binding is also observed. Farnesylation of full-length H-Ras at C186 does not result in detectable conformational changes in H-Ras. Chemical shift mapping studies of farnesylated and non-farnesylated forms of H-Ras with the Raf-CRD show that the farnesyl moiety, the extreme H-Ras C terminus and residues 23-30, contribute to H-Ras:Raf-CRD interactions, thereby increasing the affinity of H-Ras for the Raf-CRD.
The Benefits of Index Option-Based Strategies for Institutional Portfolios

This study reviews the potential benefit of index option-based strategies as well as the unique risk and return distributions that result from these strategies. The empirical results are based on the replication of passive option-based strategies using daily option data collected over the past thirteen years. These passive benchmarks are then compared to the performance of a number of active managers. The results indicate that many passive investment strategies offered risk-adjusted returns that exceeded the underlying index over the time period studied. Furthermore, the returns to these passive option-based strategies provide useful benchmarks for the performance of the active managers studied. Results presented here demonstrate that the source of this additional return can be identified and explained by combining a passive stock index investment with a passively managed option portfolio. This is important because it demonstrates that the returns achieved by actively managed strategies are not necessarily dependent on the unique skills of the managers.
Performance evaluation and calibration of soil water content and potential sensors for agricultural soils in eastern Colorado

Abstract This study evaluated the performance of three soil water content sensors (CS616/625, Campbell Scientific, Inc., Logan, UT; TDT, Acclima, Inc., Meridian, ID; 5TE, Decagon Devices, Inc., Pullman, WA) and a soil water potential sensor (Watermark 200SS, Irrometer Company, Inc., Riverside, CA) in laboratory and field conditions. Soil water content/potential values measured by the sensors were compared with corresponding volumetric water content (θv, m3 m−3) values derived from gravimetric samples, ranging approximately from the permanent wilting point (PWP) to field capacity (FC) volumetric water contents. Under laboratory and field conditions, the factory-based calibrations of θv did not consistently achieve the required accuracy for any sensor in the sandy clay loam, loamy sand, and clay loam soils of eastern Colorado. Salt (calcium chloride dihydrate) added to the soils in the laboratory caused the CS616, TDT, and 5TE sensors to experience errors in their volumetric water content readings with increased bulk soil electrical conductivity (EC; dS m−1). Results from field tests in sandy clay loam and loamy sand soils indicated that a linear calibration (equations provided) for the TDT, CS616 and 5TE sensors (and a logarithmic calibration for the Watermark sensors) could reduce the errors of the factory calibration of θv to less than 0.02 ± 0.035 m3 m−3. Furthermore, the performance evaluation tests confirmed that each individual sensor needed a unique calibration equation for every soil type and location in the field. In addition, the calibrated van Genuchten (1980) equation was as accurate as the calibrated logarithmic equation and can be used to convert soil water potential (kPa) to volumetric soil water content (m3 m−3). Finally, analysis of the θv field data indicated that the CS616, 5TE and Watermark sensor readings were influenced by diurnal fluctuations in soil temperature, while the TDT was not influenced. Therefore, it is recommended that the soil temperature be considered in the calibration process of the CS616, 5TE, and Watermark sensors. Further research will be aimed towards determining the need of sensor calibration for every agricultural season.
E-government usability for older adults

It is imperative that online government services appreciate the navigational needs of an ever-growing segment of their constituency.
Differential heterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer for measurement of nanometer-scale motions in living cells

We have developed a novel differential heterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer for measuring sub-nanometer displacements in single cells. We describe efforts to measure voltage-dependent refractive index changes and mechanical fluctuations in cultured single neurons.
Preventing Legal Headaches Through Staff Development: Considerations and Recommendations.

In December of 1965 John and Mary Tinker entered a Des Moines high school wearing black armbands in protest against the war in Vietnam. However inconsequential their conduct was to the outcome of the war, it revolutionized educational law in the United States. Since that time, the tensions between the law and the schools have extended far beyond those involving student rights.
Phomapyrrolidones A–C, Antitubercular Alkaloids from the Endophytic Fungus Phoma sp. NRRL 46751

Three new alkaloids, phomapyrrolidones A–C (1–3), bearing a cyclopenta[b]fluorene ring system were isolated from the mycelium extract of the endophytic fungal strain Phoma sp. NRRL 46751, inhabiting Saurauia scaberrinae. Methylation of 1 afforded its N-methyl derivative 4. The planar structures and relative configurations of 1–4 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Phomapyrrolidones B (2) and C (3) exhibited weak antitubercular activity at subcytotoxic concentrations.
Notes on Migdal's recursion formulas

Abstract A set of renormalization group recursion formulas which were proposed by Migdal are rederived, reinterpreted, and critically analyzed. The new derivation shows the connection between these formulas and previous work on renormalization via decimation and block transformations. The new interpretation which arises from these derivations indicates that Midgal's formulas are best understood as referring to systems in which the couplings are anisotropic. A strong indication of the correctness of this reinterpretation comes from the two-dimensional Ising model: The new interpretation gives an exact (!) expression for the critical couplings in this case for all ratios of Jx to Jy. This paper describes the major failings of this approximation which arise from its source as a decimation approximation, in terms of the well-known inadequacy of the fixed points which result from this type of scheme. Some proposals for improvement of the approximation are described. Finally, a new potential-moving scheme is proposed which is used to show that the Migdal approximation is exact when the potentials are strong and ferromagnetic in sign.
Three Criteria for Judging Initial Reading Instruction

How do we teach young children to read? This is comparable to asking how we teach children to speak. Children learn to speak their native language without that language being consciously taught. There is a universal potential for language among all human beings (Lenneberg 1967); and a particular language is merely an opportunity for developing that potential (Kiparsky 1968). How do we teach children to read? There is no research indicating that children learn to read because they are exposed to a particular type or sequence of instruction. They read if they are able to transfer their linguistic competence to the processing of written language. Initial reading instruction is the opportunity for young speakers to perceive the relation between oral and written language and to consider alternative strategies whereby written language can be made accessible to oral language processes. There exists an overabundance of educational material containing examples of an ideas about how to instruct young readers. Rather than contribute to this already unwieldly literature, this article provides three criteria which can be used to decide if a recommended teaching strategy is adequate or inadequate.
Detection of high-risk human papillomaviruses in verrucae of patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a case series.

Background Mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sezary syndrome (SS) patients are immunocompromised and thus may be susceptible to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections that are difficult to treat. Methods Three patients with verrucous skin lesions, 2 of whom had coexisting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) near the verruca biopsy site, had biopsies of verruca for histologic examination. HPV typing was performed on fresh verruca biopsies by nested polymerase chain reaction. Results A single type of high-risk HPV was identified in each patient's lesion. Conclusions HPV may have acted as a cocarcinogen in the development of SCC in two patients and extensive condyloma acuminatum in one.
Perceptual interactions between electrocutaneous loudness and pitch

The effect of dimensional interaction was investigated for the perceptual dimensions of electrocutaneous pitch and loudness. Stimuli were delivered transcutaneously through a concentric bipolar electrode positioned above a cutaneous nerve bundle. Subjects classified stimuli as "high" or "low" the basis of perceived intensity or frequency. Classification reaction times were measured for stimuli differing on one dimension alone (baseline), on two correlated dimensions (correlation), or on two dimensions, each varying randomly (filtering). Interactions were manifested when, compared to baseline (RT=453 ms), reaction times were slower in the filtering condition (RT=472 ms) and faster in the correlation condition (RT=418 ms). This interaction effect is a potentially important consideration for the design of efficient sensory feedback schemes employing electrocutaneous stimulation.
Apolipoprotein E isoform-dependent effects on anxiety and cognition in female TR mice

Compared with apoE3, apoE4 is associated with increased risk to develop age-related cognitive decline, particularly in women. In this study, young, middle-aged, and old female mice expressing human apoE under control of the mouse apoE promoter were behaviorally analyzed. Cognitive performance in the water maze decreased with age in all mice. Compared with apoE2 and apoE3 mice, apoE4 mice showed better cognitive performance and higher measures of anxiety than apoE2 and apoE3 mice. Measures of anxiety correlated with cognitive performance in the water maze and passive avoidance tests and might have contributed to the enhanced cognitive performance of the apoE4 mice. ApoE4 mice showed better water maze learning and higher cortical apoE levels than mice expressing apoE4 in astrocytes under control of the GFAP promoter. This was not seen in apoE3 mice. There were no line differences in either genotype in spatial memory retention in the probe trial following the last day of hidden platform training. Thus, the promoter used to express apoE4 critically modulates its effects on brain function.
Evaluating a Constructivist and Culturally Responsive Approach to Environmental Education for Diverse Audiences

The NorthBay Adventure Center offers five-day residential programs that meld environmental and character education using experiential techniques and multi-media messaging. This article explores the influences of these programs on urban and non-urban middle-school participants in three areas: character development and leadership; environmental responsibility, and attitudes toward school. The authors found significant positive short-term effects on all outcomes of interest. Three-month delayed posttests indicate retention of significant gains in character development and leadership and environmental responsibility, while gains in school-related outcomes faded. Urban students responded more positively to the NorthBay program than did students from suburban and rural areas.
MicroRNAs and Prognosis of Lung Cancer

MicroRNAs have recently emerged as important regulatory molecules of normal and abnormal cellular behavior. They are small (18-22 nucleotides) noncoding RNA that control translation by sequence complementarity of their "seed" sequence to the 3′ untranslated regions (UTR) of their target mRNAs, which are RNA species that code for proteins. Apart from their biological importance, these small molecules have received attention as biomarkers because of their remarkable stability in tissues and body fluids and the ease of their measurement. A recent article in Cancer Research by Voortman et al has failed to validate the hypothesis that tumor microRNA expression is associated with prognosis. In light of this significant finding, this article summarizes the current state of the art of microRNA biomarkers for the prognostication of lung cancer.
Gun-related eye injury in the United States, 1993-2002.

Objective: To present the descriptive epidemiology of gun-related eye injury in the United States from 1993 through 2002. Methods: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was used to estimate the number of patients treated in the United States for gun-related eye injury (GEI) (air guns and firearms), air gun-related eye injury (AEI) (BB/pellet guns and rifles) and firearm-related eye injury (FEI) (all powder discharge guns) during the time period 1993 through 2002. Rates were calculated according to age, gender, race, weapon type and circumstances surrounding the injury event (e.g., locale and intent). Results: The rate of gun-related eye injury in the United States declined to 7.5 per 1,000,000 in 2002 from 14.8 per 1,000,000 in 1993, representing a decline of approximately 5.4% per year (p = 0.0002), due primarily to a decline in the rate of FEI (6.7% per year, p = 0.029). The rate of AEI was relatively constant. GEI rates were highest among those aged 10–19 years, males, and Blacks...
Evaluation of glucocorticoid-induced DNA fragmentation in mouse thymocytes by flow cytometry.

. The ability of glucocorticoids to induce apoptosis or programmed cell death in mouse thymocytes is well-established. Measurement of apoptosis-associated internucleosomal DNA fragmentation through determination of the percentage of fragmented DNA by electrophoresis or centrifugation of whole cell lysates is by far the most common means of quantifying apoptosis. Since these methods measure DNA fragmentation in whole cell lysates rather than intact cells, they have severe limitations, particularly with heterogeneous cell populations. When mouse thymocytes were incubated with glucocorticoids, fixed, stained with propidium iodide and analysed flow cytometrically for cell cycle distribution, a distinct subpopulation of cells was observed to form below the Go/G1 region, denoted as the A0 region. The presence of cells in this region was consistent with the presence of internucleosomal DNA fragments as determined by gel electrophoresis. Inhibitors of transcription, translation and endonuclease activity, and a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist prevented accumulation of cells in this region. Irradiation of mouse thymocytes also produced a population in the A0 region. Cells in this region are believed to have undergone glucocorticoid-induced DNA fragmentation. This method represents a useful alternative to whole cell lysate assays, since apoptosis can be evaluated on an individual cell basis.
Olfactory bulb removal: Influences on the mating behavior of male mice

Abstract Bilateral removal of the olfactory bulbs completely abolished the display of masculine sexual behavior in seven of nine male Swiss-Webster mice. The sexual behavior of unilaterally bulbectomized males was unaffected, and was comparable to that shown by operated and unoperated control males. Replacement therapy with exogenous androgen failed to restore post-operative deficits in mating behavior in bulbectomized mice. Apparently, intact olfactory input is a necessary condition for the occurrence of mating behavior in male mice.