cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equilibrium and kinetic folding of an alpha-helical Greek key protein domain: caspase recruitment domain (CARD) of RICK.

We have characterized the equilibrium and kinetic folding of a unique protein domain, caspase recruitment domain (CARD), of the RIP-like interacting CLARP kinase (RICK) (RICK-CARD), which adopts a α-helical Greek key fold. At equilibrium, the folding of RICK-CARD is well described by a two-state mechanism representing the native and unfolded ensembles. The protein is marginally stable, with a ΔGH2O of 3.0 ± 0.15 kcal/mol and an m-value of 1.27 ± 0.06 kcal mol-1 M-1 (30 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8, 1 mM DTT, 25 °C). While the m-value is constant, the protein stability decreases in the presence of moderate salt concentrations (below 200 mM) and then increases at higher salt concentrations. The results suggest that electrostatic interactions are stabilizing in the native protein, and the favorable Coulombic interactions are reduced at low ionic strength. Above 200 mM salt, the results are consistent with Hofmeister effects. The unfolding pathway of RICK-CARD is complex and contains at least three non-native conformati...
Ni and Al diffusion in Ni-rich NiAl and the effect of Pt additions

Abstract First-principles density functional theory calculations are used to examine long-range Ni and short-range Al diffusion in Ni-rich NiAl. Since Ni diffusion in Ni-rich NiAl has been observed to have a lower activation energy than Ni diffusion in stoichiometric NiAl, another diffusion pathway, the antistructure bridge (ASB) mechanism, is believed to be activated once a threshold concentration of Ni antisite atoms has been reached. Our calculated activation energies for Ni diffusion via the ASB mechanism agree well with experimental data, confirming the ASB mechanism is likely operating in the Ni-rich region of the phase diagram, providing a means of long-range Ni diffusion. Since the ASB mechanism does not involve Al atoms, no long-range transport of Al occurs via this mechanism. Instead we looked at short-range Al transport via next-nearest-neighbor Al jumps into Al vacancies created during the ASB mechanism. The effect of Pt on these mechanisms was also examined; we predict that the presence of Pt enhances the rate of the ASB mechanism, which has implications for the lifetime of jet engine thermal barrier coatings.
Soviet Atomic Blackmail and the North Atlantic Alliance

THE uncertainty about whether atomic weapons will be used in future war, whether local or general, lends itself to political exploitation in the cold war. The efficiency of nuclear weapons in wartime, and their resulting threat-value in either waror peacetime, constitute their political-military worth. In peacetime, the threat-value of weapons can be exploited in many ways: by an ultimatum, by authoritative or inspired statements on capabilities or intentions, by studied disclosures of new weapons at ceremonial occasions, by means of maneuvers, redeployments of forces, or by so-called demonstrations. In the pre-atomic age, naval demonstrations and partial mobilizations of ground forces were standard measures for bringing to bear military pressure on foreign governments in peacetime. In the present era, such pressure can be exerted also by using the threat potential of modern air power and of the weapons of mass destruction. Evidence of this is seen in official statements on deterrence, in threats of instant retaliation, in propaganda to foreign populations about the vulnerability to air or missile attack of their bases, industries, and cities, and in discussions of the vastly increased importance of surprise in war. The political worth of modern military power does not reside merely in threats that certain weapons may be used or in promises that they will not be used. Political worth attaches also to technical and scientific accomplishments, for the power that is unlocked by such advances can, like all power, be used for military as well as for peaceful ends. Witness the political value of airlifts, of rescue missions and expeditions, of international exhibitions of advances in modern technology, of international congresses and "years" devoted to progress in the basic or applied sciences. Yet, it cannot be said that all of the many possibilities of peacetime exploitation of the political value of military power are being realized. This is particularly true with respect to certain military activities, such as weapons tests or training missions. Here military purposes usually overshadow consideration of the political advantages that might be
Researchers' perspectives on the role of study partners in dementia research.

Background: Study partners for dementia research participants are vital to the research process, but little is known about their role, responsibilities, and experiences. Study partners are usually family members or friends – often the patient's informal caregiver – who are knowledgeable about and usually accompany the participant to study visits. This study examines researchers’ perspectives on the role of study partners in dementia research. Methods: Qualitative data collection and analytic methods were used. Semi-structured individual interviews with principal investigators, study coordinators, and research nurses (i.e. researchers; n = 17) at two academic research sites were recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed to identify themes in the data. Results: According to researchers, study partners either make or help make research enrollment and post-enrollment decisions, serve as knowledgeable informants for the participants, manage the logistics that enable participants to comply with a study's protocol, and provide comfort and encouragement for the patient to engage in and complete a study. Researchers describe ideal qualities of study partners as being able to provide reliable information, being dependable and adherent to the protocol, and not expecting a benefit. They also report that study partners may face both practical and emotional challenges during research participation. However, researchers believe that study partners derive dementia-related education, caregiver support, and satisfaction from their involvement in research. Conclusions: Investigators, potential study partners, and institutional review boards should be aware of study partners’ research responsibilities, challenges, and their interests as caregivers.
Loss of IL-10 Decreases Mouse Postpubertal Mammary Gland Development in the Absence of Inflammation

IL-10 is a pleiotrophic anti-inflammatory cytokine. Decreased IL-10 expression is associated with an increased breast cancer risk but the mechanism is not clear. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the loss of IL-10 alters mammary development, even in the absence of inflammation. Wild-type and IL-10−/− mouse littermates were similar in growth, development, and breeding success. Using whole-mounts and paraffin sections, mammary glands from pre-pubertal mice (d21) were found to not be affected by the IL-10 null genotype. However, after the onset of estrous cycling, ductal structure, but not lymph nodes or adipocytes, of IL-10 knockout mice were found to moderately decrease at day 55, 80, and 150 of age. This phenotype was not rescued by lactogenesis. At day 2 of lactation, IL-10 null mice had reduced lobular complexity and glandular area with the retention of adipocytes. These results support the hypothesis that absence of IL-10 reduces glandular development during postnatal development, at ...
The Genvis Phrydiuchus, with the Description of Two New Species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

In a study of the taxonomy of the ceutorhynchine genus Phrydiuchus, two new species, P. spilmani and P. tau , which may be introduced into the United States as potential controlling agents of Mediterranean sage, Salvia aethiopis L., a pest weed in the western United States, are described. Two additional species, P. speiseri (Schultze) and P. topiarius (Germar), are redescribed.
Striking back at the empire: A brief survey of problems in Dworkin's theory of law

In Law's Empire Dworkin remains committed to carving out a middleground between natural law and legal positivism. But natural law andlegal positivism are best viewed as complementary answers to differ-ent questions, There is no middle ground between them. Nor is thequestion that Dworkin's Integrity asks one that could be coherentlyanswered i f it were an important question. Fortunately, it is not.
Impacts of Personal Characteristics on Computer Attitude and Academic Users Information System Satisfaction

This study evaluated the relationships between three personal characteristics on computer attitude and user satisfaction. The three personal characteristics tested were gender, computer experience, and overall academic performance. Survey results revealed that computer experience and gender make a significant difference in the computer attitude of the respondents. However, the three personal characteristics did not make a significant difference in academic computer system user satisfaction. Also found is a significant moderating effect of the three personal characteristics on the relationship between computer attitude and user satisfaction. Women, those with moderate computer experience, and those with low academic performance tend to show stronger relationships between computer attitude and computer user information system satisfaction than their counterparts.
The innocence and natural liberty of Morlacchia: European identity, enlightened anthropology and the ambivalent significance of gender among noble savages

This article considers the anthropological study, published in 1774 by Alberto Fortis, concerning the pastoral mountain people of Venetian Dalmatia, known as Morlacchi. Fortis analyzed their customs with reference to the Enlightenment's standard of civilization, and issues of gender were fundamental for his anthropological appreciation of their social relations. Fortis's account of the Morlacchi was important for the origins of the modern anthropological perspective in the age of Enlightenment, and also for the modern formulation of the difference between Western Europe and Eastern Europe.
Children with first-time simple febrile seizures are at low risk of serious bacterial illness.

Objective To describe the rates of serious bacterial illness (SBI) in children presenting to emergency departments (EDs) with first-time uncomplicated febrile seizures. Methods The ED visits from seven Chicago metropolitan area hospitals (two tertiary pediatric EDs, five community general EDs) for all pediatric patients seen between July 1995 and December 1997 with a discharge diagnosis including the term "seizure" were retrospectively identified. Records of patients who met criteria for simple, first-time febrile seizure were reviewed (age 6-60 months; temperature > or =38.0 degrees C; single, generalized, tonic-clonic seizure Results Four hundred fifty-five children were identified who had first-time simple febrile seizures. The study participants had a mean age of 21 months and a mean temperature of 39.6 degrees C, and 64% were male. Seventy-three percent were seen in a community hospital setting. Blood cultures were obtained for 315 children (69%). Four children (1.3% [95% CI = 0.1% to 2.5%]) were bacteremic, all with Streptococcus pneumoniae; the rate of bacteremia did not differ in the subset at highest risk for bacteremia (6-36 months, temperature >39 degrees C). No demographic or laboratory data distinguished the bacteremic children from those with negative blood cultures. One hundred seventy-one children (38%) had urine cultures obtained; 5.9% [95% CI = 2.4% to 9.4%] of the cultures grew >100,000 colony-forming units/mL of a single pathogenic organism. One hundred thirty-five children (30%) had cerebrospinal fluid cultures performed. None of these cultures grew a bacterial pathogen [95% CI = 0% to 2.2%]. Two hundred eight children (45.7%) had chest x-rays performed; 12.5% [95% CI = 10.2% to 14.8%] (n = 26) of the x-rays were read as consistent with pneumonia by the radiologist at the treating institution. None of the blood cultures performed on children with abnormal radiographs were positive (cultures drawn on 23 of 26 patients, 88%). Stool cultures were performed on 14 children (3.1%); two cultures (14.3% [95% CI = 0% to 32.6%]) grew a bacterial pathogen, both Shigella. Conclusions Rates of SBI in this multi-institution population of children with first-time simple febrile seizures were low and are consistent with those published in the literature for febrile children without seizures.
Microfabrication-based ektacytometer for blood cell deformability measurements

A unique ektacytometer for monitoring blood cell deformability constructed using a silicon and glass microfabricated flow cell, a diode laser source and CCD detector, is presented. The device described in this paper relies on the reflection of the incident laser beam from the silicon surface, and hence does not act as a transmission cell. In this sense the device is compatible with other microfabricated devices which also utilize a reflection based optical geometry. Flow induced changes in the diffraction pattern generated by blood samples flowing through the microfabricated cell, and passing through the laser beam, are analyzed and compared with expected results based on shear induced changes in erythrocyte (red blood cell) shape within the flow cell. Finally, optimization of the flow cell design, and possible applications toward biomedical instrumentation are also discussed.
Opioid craving and seeking behavior in physically dependent volunteers: effects of acute withdrawal and drug reinforcement opportunity.

This study examined whether acute opioid withdrawal and drug reinforcement opportunity increase opioid craving and seeking behavior. The author used a 3!2 within-subject randomized crossover design to assess craving and operant behavioral effects of 3 pretreatments (naloxone 0.1 mg/70 kg, fentanyl 0.75 mg/70 kg, or saline iv) and drug or money reinforcement opportunity in 8 methadone-maintained volunteers. Each pretreatment was paired with response-contingent (15!fixed-ratio 100) delivery of drug (fentanyl 1.5 mg/70 kg iv) and money (rated equivalent of fentanyl) in different sessions. Naloxone significantly increased opioid craving, withdrawal signs, and symptoms, but not operant behavior, relative to saline and fentanyl pretreatment. However, drug versus money reinforcement opportunity did not significantly increase opioid craving or seeking behavior. Research suggests that drug craving is not strongly associated with objective drug seeking or drug use behaviors (Tiffany, 1990). This outcome may be obtained because craving is part of a constellation of responses related to drug dependence and because there is no logical imperative for verbal reports of craving (asymptomof drug dependence) to be closely tied to drug seeking behavior (asignof drug dependence); for example, the relationship among measures may be modified by environmental conditions. Most studies that have examined the relationship between drug craving and seeking behavior used retrospective analyses. In addition, some studies have used less reliable craving assessment techniques, for example, single-item scales. Thus, it would be useful to examine this issue with prospective study designs and reliable instruments.
Collaborative Learning in University Grammar Courses.

An innovative collaborative learning model, used for the teaching of modern English grammar classes, combined elements from peer teaching and cooperative learning. This model is innovative for higher education since it involved students and instructor co-laboring to master knowledge as a socially held phenomenon without any authoritarian leveling. It involved: 1) Student lectures explaining assigned readings from the text(s); 2) Daily quizzes of the material from the assigned reading; and 3) Student grading of the daily quizzes and exams with the instructor checking for accuracy. Student attitudinal surveys revealed positive perceptions of students on the whole toward the conduct of the class. An even greater positive aspect of the collaborative learning model used here is the attainment of a high level of mastery of the subject matter and almost perfect classroom attendance.
The effect of information technology on productivity in retailing

Abstract As labor costs rise faster than both inflation and sales, retailers are attempting to increase productivity by substituting information technology for labor. However, there exist disagreements over the potential benefits of adopting this strategy. The purpose of this study is to examine whether information technology contributes to the productivity of retail institutions. The results indicate that information technology is a productive input for retailers. Also, evidence exists that retailers are underutilizing information technology.
Advanced Language Recognition using Cepstra and Phonotactics: MITLL System Performance on the NIST 2005 Language Recognition Evaluation

This paper presents a description of the MIT Lincoln Laboratory submissions to the 2005 NIST Language Recognition Evaluation (LRE05). As was true in 2003, the 2005 submissions were combinations of core cepstral and phonotactic recognizers whose outputs were fused to generate final scores. For the 2005 evaluation, Lincoln Laboratory had five submissions built upon fused combinations of six core systems. Major improvements included the generation of phone streams using lattices, SVM-based language models using lattice-derived phonotactics, and binary tree language models. In addition, a development corpus was assembled that was designed to test robustness to unseen languages and sources. Language recognition trends based on NIST evaluations conducted since 1996 show a steady improvement in language recognition performance.
Location, location, location: advancing veto cell therapies.

In this issue of Blood , Ophir et al have identified and characterized refined conditions in which the immunoregulatory promise of veto cells, as a cellular therapy, may finally be realized.[1][1] Veto cells have long been a somewhat obscure immunoregulatory cell type, with seemingly mysterious
Role of Cholesterol as a Progestin Precursor in Rat, Rabbit and Bovine Luteal Tissue1

Amino-glutethimide, an inhibitor of the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, was employed in an attempt to elucidate a pathway for progesterone biosynthesis in which cholesterol was not an intermediate. Incubation of rat and bovine luteal tissue in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing amino-glutethi-mide resulted in a nearly complete inhibition of progesterone biosynthesis. Amino-glutethimide in vitro prevented acetate-l-14C incorporation into progesterone in rat luteal tissue, even in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH); in contrast, 14C was incorporated into progesterone by bovine luteal tissue, and LH stimulated this event. Additional experiments showed that amino-glutethimide in vitro could not completely inhibit cholesterol side-chain cleavage in bovine luteal tissue, as evidenced by conversion of cholesterol-l,2-3H to progesterone and LH stimulation of this phenomenon. The in vivo administration of amino-glutethimide to rats and rabbits 1 hr before sacrifice resulted in a 4-fold or ...
Conjunctive constraint mapping for data translation

In this paper we present a mechanism for translating information in heterogeneous digital library environments. We model information as a set of conjunctive constraints that are satisfied by real- world objects (e.g, documents, their metadata). Through application of semantic rules and value transformation functions, constraints are mapped into ones understood and supported in another context. Our machinery can also deal with hierarchically structured information.
Suboptimal choice behavior by pigeons.

Contrary to the law of effect and optimal foraging theory, pigeons show suboptimal choice behavior by choosing an alternative that provides 20% reinforcement over another that provides 50% reinforcement. They choose the 20% reinforcement alternative—in which 20% of the time, that choice results in a stimulus that always predicts reinforcement, and 80% of the time, it results in another stimulus that predicts its absence—rather than the 50% reinforcement alternative, which results in one of two stimuli, each of which predicts reinforcement 50% of the time. This choice behavior may be related to suboptimal human monetary gambling behavior, because in both cases, the organism overemphasizes the infrequent occurrence of the winning event and underemphasizes the more frequent occurrence of the losing event.
Learning shape classes

This paper is a summary of a new approach to learning shape concepts. In this system, a shape is represented by conjunctions of local shape properties. Conjunctions of local properties are consistent and unique for distinct shapes and are robust enough to represent shape in the presence of occlusion. A new learning method, called property based learning, is developed and used to learn conjunctions of local properties. Unlike other classification methods based on distances or similarities, classification performance does not degrade linearly as the number of classes increases and classification can be done correctly with only partial information of instances. Property based learning is an incremental learning method that selects properties crucial for classification. Two experiments are reported. In the first experiment with tool shapes, this shape learning system is used to classify shapes in the presence of view point changes, local movements such as moving handles of pliers, and occlusion. In the second experiment with hand gestures, the system can classify different gestures regardless of the movement in joints, fingers, and palms. >
Fitness consequences for copepods feeding on a red tide dinoflagellate: Deciphering the effects of nutritional value, toxicity, and feeding behavior

Phytoplankton exhibit a diversity of morphologies, nutritional values, and potential chemical defenses that could affect the feeding and fitness of zooplankton consumers. However, how phytoplankton traits shape plant-herbivore interactions in the marine plankton is not as well understood as for terrestrial or marine macrophytes and their grazers. The occurrence of blooms of marine dinoflagellates such as Karenia brevis suggests that, for uncertain reasons, grazers are unable to capitalize on, or control, this phytoplankton growth-making these systems appealing for testing mechanisms of grazing deterrence. Using the sympatric copepod Acartia tonsa, we conducted a mixed diet feeding experiment to test whether K. brevis is beneficial, toxic, nutritionally inadequate, or behaviorally rejected as food relative to the palatable and nutritionally adequate phytoplankter Rhodomonas lens. On diets rich in K. brevis, copepods experienced decreased survivorship and decreased egg production per female, but the percentage of eggs that hatched was unaffected. Although copepods showed a 6-17% preference for R. lens over K. brevis on some mixed diets, overall high ingestion rates eliminated the possibility that reduced copepod fitness was caused by copepods avoiding K. brevis, leaving nutritional inadequacy and toxicity as remaining hypotheses. Because egg production was dependent on the amount of R. lens consumed regardless of the amount of K. brevis eaten, there was no evidence that fitness costs were caused by K. brevis toxicity. Copepods limited to K. brevis ate 480% as much as those fed only R. lens, suggesting that copepods attempted to compensate for low food quality with increased quantity ingested. Our results indicate that K. brevis is a poor food for A. tonsa, probably due to nutritional inadequacy rather than toxicity, which could affect bloom dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico where these species co-occur.
Some effects of variations in response time latency on speech rate, interruptions, and fluency in children's speech.

The present study was designed to examine adult-child interactions during conversation with respect to the effects of adult paralinguistic speech variations on the speech production of children. Fo...
Avascular Necrosis of the Humeral Head: Hemi-Cap, Cap, or Stemmed Solution?

Avascular necrosis of the humeral head, as in other joints, can have a spectrum of severity. The degree of humeral head involvement should dictate the degree of prosthetic replacement required to restore congruity and function. In some very early phases of disease, observation or core decompression and supportive bone grafting may be considered. This article will focus on management of later problems where articular subsidence, degeneration, and arthrosis have dictated the need for varying degrees of prosthetic replacement. With a focal area of necrosis and collapse, but maintenance of peripheral articular congruity and subchondral support, a central core articular humeral replacement can be performed using a focal surface replacement or "hemi-cap" implant. For more global surface degeneration with maintenance of a relatively healthy surrounding subchondral bone support, total resurfacing of the articular surface can provide a seamless means of restoring congruity without burning the bridges of complete humeral head excision. When advanced, collapse occurs, and there is not enough supportive bone to provide foundation for a resurfacing implant, a stemmed implant should be considered. When biarticular disease ensues, following humeral head collapse and erosion of the glenoid, more formal total shoulder arthroplasty resurfacing is needed. The approach that will be presented here uses a "straightforward minimalist" conservative approach to the replacement of only the diseased articular surface with preservation of as much bony architecture as possible. This approach provides the surgeon with a process to restore articular congruity while at the same time preserving all viable bony architecture. In young patients, this is important when considering the long-term prospect of the need for future revision surgery.
A simple model for diffusion in independent, temporally fluctuating pores

Abstract A simple model is presented for one-dimensional diffusion in an ensemble of semi-infinite and finite pores or capillaries in which the boundary at one end of each capillary is allowed to fluctuate randomly between a perfectly reflecting barrier and a perfectly absorbing barrier. The model is independent of the spatial distribution of the capillaries; it is only assumed that there are a large number of them and that they are noninteracting. Exact solutions are possible and results are obtained, in terms of the fluctuation parameters, for the total amount per unit area of solute passed through the capillary system in the semi-infinite case, and for a permeability coefficient and time lag to steady state in the finite system. Applications of the model to diffusion in biological membranes are discussed.
Sport as escape.

One of the sources of sport’s enormous contemporary appeal is that it provides an escape, a brief and often intoxicating respite from the complexities and confusions of everyday life. This is the world the author explores here and does so by drawing from a variety of sources, although most especially by drawing from the world of sport literature. In particular, the article argues that the world of sport is built on several important ontological features, including space, time, community, order, purpose, and self. The article addresses each of these features using literary figures and stories to highlight both the power and danger of sport as escape. Among the literature to be cited may be included works by Frank DeFord, Roy MacGregor, Bernard Malamud, Jason Miller, and John Updike. In the end, the author’s analysis serves as a cautionary tale, an admonition about the personal and collective obsession with the world of sport.
Outreach among Drug Users: Combining the Role of Ethnographic Field Assistant and Health Educators

Drug users remain the second largest group at risk for HIV infection in the United States. Public health messages distributed through traditional channels might not reach the "different-to-reach" population of drug users. Outreach has therefore become an essential strategy for contacting drug users with information about HIV.Outreach work among drug users is conducted in ways that are similar to methods applied by qualitatively oriented social scientists. The outreach workers, however, differ from the social scientists in that they are indigenous, which means that they are familiar with the communities in which they work; they are (former) drug users. Outreach workers have to respond to the competing demands from social scientists who are project administrators, and from drug users. This situation is likely to cause role conflict and strain. This paper will focus on the role of outreach workers, the potential for role conflict, and ways in which this conflict is resolved.
Reactive dissolution instability driven by chemical diffusion with applications to harzburgite reactive dissolution

[1] The morphological stability of a mineralogically sharp and planar dissolution front separating rock A from rock B during reactive dissolution in a multicomponent system was examined using a linear stability analysis. In the absence of melt flow, the underlining cause for the instability is chemical diffusion in the melt. The destabilizing chemical diffusion gives rise to a new class of morphological instability in which the maximum growth rate of the perturbation corresponds to the minimum wavelength of the porous system that is on the order of a few grain sizes. On the geological outcrop scale a chemical diffusion induced unstable dissolution front separating two rock units would appear diffuse. The diffuse boundaries between the harzburgite and dunite observed in ophiolites may be a result of such dissolution instability. When chemical diffusion is stabilizing the wavelength of the instability is larger and sharp lithological boundary can be preserved.
Characterization and Electrochemical Responsiveness of Boron-Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond Thin-Film Electrodes

The deposition, characterization, and electrochemical responsiveness of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond thin-film electrodes is reported. The films consist of clusters of diamond grains, ∼50−100 nm in diameter, and possess an rms surface roughness of 34 nm over a 5 × 5 μm2 area. The individual and randomly ordered diamond grains are approximately 10−15 nm in diameter, as evidenced by TEM. The ∼4-μm-thick films were deposited by microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a CH4/H2/Ar source gas mixture (1%/5%/95%). Under these conditions, C2, rather than CH3•, appears to be the dominant nucleation and growth precursor. The nanocrystallinity is a result of a growth and nucleation mechanism discovered by Gruen, which involves the insertion of C2 carbon dimer into C−H bonds on the growth surface (MRS Bull. 1998, 23, 32). The nanocrystalline morphology results from a high renucleation rate. However, unlike previously reported nanocrystalline diamond thin films that have electrical properties d...
Control limit policies for warranty, maintenance and upgrade of software systems

Software systems continuously undergo change, mostly in response to customers' needs and expectations, which themselves change from one period to the next. Although the cost of these changes may be many times the original system cost, there is no framework for their analysis and for bringing customers' views into the decision processes. In this paper, we develop a Markov decision process model for warranty, maintenance, and upgrade of software systems, using the index of customer satisfaction as the state variable. We identify optimal and near-optimal policies within the space of control-limit policies.
Intramolecular Diels−Alder Reactions of Decatrienoates: Remote Stereocontrol and Conformational Activation1

The intramolecular Diels−Alder (IMDA) reactions of C(8)-substituted decatrienoates have been studied. The stereospecific formation of 11 via an endo-boat-9 transition state attests to the powerful directing influence of a C(8) substituent in the IMDA of decatrienoate. In addition, the contrasting observations that stereospecific 9 → 11 occurs at room temperature while the nor-tert-butyl substrate (4a) requires 125 °C/5 h reaction conditions and produces a 60:40 mixture of diastereomers provide clear evidence that a bulky C(8) substituent is a powerful conformational activator of the IMDA.
A taste illusion: taste sensation localized by touch.

Taste sensations appear to come from all over the inner surface of the mouth, yet the taste receptors are restricted to relatively small particular areas of the oral surface. In addition, even if a relatively large (e.g., one half) proportion of the taste field is damaged, subjective taste experience may be unaffected. The touch system contributes to this constancy because taste sensations appear to be localized by touch. If a taste solution is painted from the side of the tongue (an area of low receptor density) past the tip (an area of high receptor density) and on to the second side, the taste sensation begins weak, gets stronger at the tip, and retains much of its intensity. The strong taste from the tip follows the tactile path of the stimulus sweep. This illusion occurs for all four stimuli tested: sucrose, sodium chloride, citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride.
Regulation of GDF-11 and myostatin activity by GASP-1 and GASP-2

Myostatin (MSTN) and growth and differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) are highly related TGF-β family members that have distinct biological functions. MSTN is expressed primarily in skeletal muscle and acts to limit muscle growth. GDF-11 is expressed more widely and plays multiple roles, including regulating axial skeletal patterning during development. Several MSTN and GDF-11 binding proteins have been identified, including GDF-associated serum protein-1 (GASP-1) and GASP-2, which are capable of inhibiting the activities of these ligands. Here, we show that GASP-1 and GASP-2 act by blocking the initial signaling event (namely, the binding of the ligand to the type II receptor). Moreover, we show that mice lacking Gasp1 and Gasp2 have phenotypes consistent with overactivity of MSTN and GDF-11. Specifically, we show that Gasp2−/− mice have posteriorly directed transformations of the axial skeleton, which contrast with the anteriorly directed transformations seen in Gdf11−/− mice. We also show that both Gasp1−/− and Gasp2−/− mice have reductions in muscle weights, a shift in fiber type from fast glycolytic type IIb fibers to fast oxidative type IIa fibers, and impaired muscle regeneration ability, which are the reverse of what are seen in Mstn−/− mice. All of these findings suggest that both GASP-1 and GASP-2 are important modulators of GDF-11 and MSTN activity in vivo.
EXISTENCE OF RESONANCES IN THREE DIMENSIONS

IfP is an elliptic self-adjoint perturbation of the Laplacian Δ on ℝ3, and the coefficients ofP−Δ decay super-exponentially, then we show thatP has infinitely many resonances. The resonances are defined here as the poles of the meromorphic continuation of (P−λ2)−1.
Anomalous Behavior of Surface Acoustic Waves in Cu/Nb Superlattices

Brillouin-scattering measurements show an anomalous dip in the elastic constants of Nb/Cu superlattices for superlattice wavelengths of \ensuremath{\lesssim} 100 \AA{}. This dip is correlated with changes in the electrical resistivity of the samples giving the first evidence that electronic effects are responsible for phonon softening in these materials.
An Analysis of Bond Investment Company Initial Public Offerings: Past and Present

In this study, we investigate the return behavior of bond investment company initial public offerings (IPOs). Samples of these IPOs collected for the periods 1973–1976 and 1986–1987 exhibited negative returns to investors. The findings are in contrast to those usually reported for IPOs but are consistent with those recently reported for equity investment company IPOs.
Chronic administration of haloperidol during development: Later psychopharmacological responses to apomorphine and arecoline

Offspring of pregnant rats injected with 0.25 mg/kg of haloperidol or saline throughout gestation and until weaning were psychopharmacologically tested for their responsiveness to arecoline and apomorphine. On postnatal day 50, offspring of such chronic treatments were tested in the open field after administration of 0, 0.05, 0.1, 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg apomorphine, a dopamine agonist. The two chronic treatment groups did not differ in response to high doses of apomorphine which induced stereotyped sniffing and a depression of matrix crossing behavior. However, while control offspring exhibited a low dose (0.05 mg/kg apomorphine) suppression of matrix crossings and rearing behavior, haloperidol treated offspring did not, which may indicate a functional hyposensitivity of dopaminergic autoreceptors in these treated animals. When tested at postnatal day 65 for their cataleptic responses to the cholinergic agonist arecoline, haloperidol treated offspring were more cataleptic to 2 and 5 mg/kg arecoline than control offspring. This suggests that chronic dopamine receptor blockade during development may have long-term indirect effects on the sensitivity of the cholinergic system.
Monadic Orientation: A Contribution to the Structure of Families with Autistic Children†

In the schizophrenogenic family, many interactions appear to function to maintain pathological dyadic alliances. This paper reports the family treatment of a family with an autistic child and develops the view that in an autistogenic family interactions tend toward maintaining self-isolation and disaffiliation. This process of splitting and dissolving dyads and the tendency to maintain isolation of family members is held to be an essential feature of the autistogenic process; it is referred to as the monadic orientation.
Impact of overexpression of the reduced folate carrier (RFC1), an anion exchanger, on concentrative transport in murine L1210 leukemia cells.

Abstract Transport of reduced folates in murine leukemia cells is mediated by the bidirectional reduced folate carrier (RFC1) and independent unidirectional exit pumps. RFC1 has been proposed to be intrinsically equilibrating, generating transmembrane gradients by exchange with inorganic and organic anions. This paper defines the role of high level carrier expression, through transfection with RFC1 cDNA, on concentrative transport of the folate analog, methotrexate (MTX) in murine L1210 leukemia cells. RFC1 was expressed in the MTXrA line, which lacks a functional endogenous carrier to obtain the MTXrA-R16 clonal derivative. Influx was increased ∼9-fold in MTXrA-R16 cells without a change in K m. The efflux rate constant was increased by a factor of 5.1 relative to L1210 cells, and this resulted in only a 2.1-fold increase in the steady-state level of free intracellular MTX, [MTX]i, when [MTX]e was 1 μm. The concentrative advantage for RFC1 (the ratio of [MTX]i in MTXrA-R16 to L1210 cells) increased from 1.8 at 0.1 μm MTX to 3.8 at an [MTX]elevel of 30 μm. Augmented transport in MTXrA-R16 cells was accompanied by a 2-fold increase in accumulation of MTX polyglutamate derivatives and a ∼50% decrease in the EC50 for 5-formyltetrahydrofolate and folic acid and the MTX IC50 relative to L1210 cells. These alterations paralleled changes in [MTX]i and not the much larger change in influx at low [MTX]e levels, consistent with the critical role that free intracellular folates and drug play in meeting cellular needs for folates and as a determinant of antifolate activity, respectively. The data indicate that RFC1 produces a large and near symmetrical increase in the bidirectional fluxes of MTX resulting in only a small increase in the transmembrane chemical gradient at low extracellular folate levels. Hence, increased expression of RFC1, alone, may not be an efficient adaptive response to folate deprivation, and other factors may come into play to account for the marked increases in concentrative folate transport which occur when cells are subjected to low folate-selective pressure.
The proton's spin: A quark model perspective

Abstract Magnetic moments and g A / g V provide information on the correlations among quark spins and flavours in the proton. I compare this information with the deep inelastic polarized data from EMC which has been claimed to show that very little of the proton's spin is due to the quarks. The possibility that there is significant polarisation of strange quarks within protons is discussed.
Micromilling of microbarbs for medical implants

Abstract Successful application of many implantable medical devices often depends on the technique used for attaching the devices to living tissue. Although mechanical attachment techniques that use micro-scale piercing elements are very promising, the fabrication of the micro-scale piercing elements poses considerable challenges. In this paper, the use of the mechanical micromilling process for fabrication of micro-scale piercing elements ( microbarbs ) from biocompatible materials is investigated. Two micro-scale milling tools with custom geometries are used during the fabrication. To gain an understanding of the process conditions on the performance metrics of micromilling forces, surface roughness, and burr formation, a design of experiments study is performed on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The geometric capability of the process is demonstrated by fabricating PMMA microbarbs with different sizes (widths from 68 to 174 μ m ), edge sharpnesses ( 60 ∘ and 90 ∘ included angles), and heights (from 84 to 460 μ m ). The capability to micromill a variety of biocompatible materials is demonstrated by creating microbarbs from non-biodegradable 304 stainless steel and PMMA, from bioresorbable polylactic acid (PLA), and from a fibrin based plastic. It is concluded that the micromilling process can be used for effectively fabricating arrays of microbarbs.
Slicing approach to bispectrum estimation

A fast approach to the estimation of bispectra of two-dimensional objects at high light levels is described. By radially slicing each two-dimensional specklegram to produce a set of one-dimensional signals the number of calculations required becomes 0(N3) instead of 0(N4) for (N x N)-sized specklegrams. The speed-up factor is 175 when N = 512, for example. Computer simulations of this algorithm are described and their results are summarized. These results show that a high quality result is feasible if each reconstructed slice can be accurately centered. Some approaches to solution of this problem are discussed.
Aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) poisoning in children

Summary Aminophylline (theophylline in ethylenediamine) poisoning in children was first reported in 1950. Subsequent authors have reported sixteen other instances of acute aminophylline intoxication and the present authors describe four additional cases. In this group of twenty reported cases of aminophylline intoxication there are four deaths, while ten additional children who recovered were described initially as severely ill. The widespread use of aminophylline in the management of respiratory disease in infants and children suggests that the over-all incidence of acute intoxication is not great. Nevertheless, our experience and the experience of others lead us to believe that the possibility of intoxication should be considered whenever the instituted treatment is followed by excitation, irritability, vomiting, muscle twitching, and pallor. If these early signs remain unrecognized, the patient may go on to hematemesis, convulsions, cyanosis, shock, and death. A suggested dosage that appears to be both effective and safe is 3.5 mg. per kilogram for intramuscular or intravenous therapy, 5.0 mg. per kilogram for oral therapy, and 7.0 mg. per kilogram when given a rectal suppository. Studies of blood theophylline levels following single oral doses indicate that to prevent an accumulative effect, the frequency of dosage should not exceed every six hours and preferably be given only at seven- to eight-hour intervals. Treatment consists principally of sedation and hydration, with other supportive symptomatic therapy given as indicated by the patient's condition.
The neurologist's approach to polymyositis

Abstract Many medical disciplines initiate the evaluation of and manage the dermatomyositis-polymyositis disease complex (DM/PM). The role of the general neurologist most often is that of consultant evaluating the indolent or atypical case of DM/PM. In this instance DM/PM must be sorted out from a variety of other conditions with which it can be confused (Table 5-1), especially when skin manifestations are not present or inconclusive. In addition, neurologists often perform the electrophysiologic assessment of patients suspected of having DM/PM. Proper interpretation of the electromyogram (EMG) report can be crucial in confirming the diagnosis and committing the patient to immunosuppressive therapy. Despite its rarity in general neurological practice, DM/PM is a common condition in neurologic clinics specializing in muscle disease, and the neurologic literature is a rich repository of clinical and investigative reports on DM/PM. Increasingly, these muscle disease clinics include physicians with backgrounds in different specialties, underscoring the benefits of interdisciplinary efforts, as is illustrated in this Festschrift. This chapter will present an overview of some of the complexities of the differential diagnosis of the DM/PM from the neurological perspective, emphasizing the adult form of the disease. A review of the electrophysiologic features of this disorder will be presented and as much as is possible an attempt will be made to relate these to the evolution of the histopathologic changes. The chapter will not address etiologic or therapeutic aspects which are covered in other chapters.
Hippocampal shape abnormalities of patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings.

Objective The hippocampus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and hippocampal volume deficits have been a consistently reported abnormality, but the subregional specificity of the deficits remains unknown. The authors explored the nature and developmental trajectory of subregional shape abnormalities of the hippocampus in patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), their healthy siblings, and healthy volunteers. Method Two hundred twenty-five anatomic brain magnetic resonance images were obtained from 103 patients with COS, 169 from their 79 healthy siblings, and 255 from 101 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (age range = 9–29 years). The hippocampus was segmented using FreeSurfer automated image analysis software, and hippocampal shape was evaluated by comparing subjects at more than 6,000 vertices on the left and right hippocampal surfaces. Longitudinal data were examined using mixed model regression analysis. Results Patients with COS showed significant bilateral inward deformation in the anterior hippocampus. Healthy siblings also showed a trend for anterior inward deformation. However, the trajectory of shape change did not differ significantly between the groups. Inward deformations in the anterior hippocampus were positively related to positive symptom severity, whereas outward surface displacement was positively related to overall functioning. Conclusion This is the first and largest longitudinal three-way analysis of subregional hippocampal shape abnormalities in patients with COS and their healthy siblings compared with healthy controls. The anterior hippocampal abnormalities in COS suggest the pathophysiologic importance of this subregion in schizophrenia. The trend level and overlapping shape abnormalities in the healthy siblings suggest a more subtle, subregionally specific neuroanatomic endophenotype.