cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationships among soilborne bean seedling diseases, Lablab purpureus L. and maize stover residue management, bean insect pests, and soil characteristics in Trans Nzoia district, Kenya

Abstract Smallholder farmers who practice continuous maize ( Zea mays L.) and bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation in the highlands of eastern African have been introduced to new leguminous crops for soil fertility enhancement. However, little is known about the impact these crops may have on farmers’ pre-existing crop pest problems. We investigated the cumulative effects of 7 years of differential management of Lablab purpureus L. and maize residues on soilborne bean seedling diseases caused by Pythium spp. and Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli . Residue management effects on soil fertility and seedling damage by bean stem maggots ( Ophiomyia spp.) and root-feeding chafer grubs ( Schizonycha spp . ) were also evaluated. Differences in disease dynamics were investigated in the laboratory (seed and stem assays). Three consecutive bean seedling crops were grown in the field plots (seedling assays) to assess disease severity and the impact of bean insect pests. The experimental design included three residue management factors: (1) lablab residues removed (L0) or retained (L1); (2) maize stover removed (S0) or retained (S1); and (3) residues left on the soil surface (I0) or incorporated (I1). Residue management practices altered several fundamental soil properties and indirectly affected disease dynamics. Residue incorporation and maize stover removal decreased soil water holding capacity and enhanced Pythium infection of incubated bean seeds. Crop residue removal acidified the soil and reduced nutrient availability, which was linked to a reduction in the number of Fusarium lesions formed on incubated bean stems. In the field, seedling damage by bean fly maggots and chafer grubs increased soilborne disease severity. Lablab residue incorporation plus maize stover removal increased chafer grub abundance. Bean stems incubated in soils from this treatment had significantly more Fusarium lesions, suggesting that differences in relative grub abundance may be related to differential build-up of Fusarium inoculum. Crown and root rot severity of field grown seedlings increased as levels of nutrient availability increased. However, enhanced nutrient availability and maize stover retention reduced disease-induced mortality of the seedlings. Our results point to a complex web of interrelationships among residue management practices, soil characteristics, and soilborne bean seedling pests in Trans Nzoia district Kenya.
Dielectric analysis of a crosslinking epoxy resin at a high microwave frequency

The dielectric properties of a curing epoxy/amine system have been studied from 25 to 120 °C at 2.45 GHz. The epoxy resins at different extents of curing exhibit a γ relaxation, which can be described by the Arrhenius rate law. The relaxation is attributed to the motions of the dipolar groups associated with the crosslinking system. A simple model is proposed to represent the temperature dependence of the dielectric properties. A complete description of the evolution of the parameters during the polymerization has been obtained. The nature of the information yielded by dielectrometry on the dynamics of the system is discussed.
Underground storage of diapausing southwestern corn borer larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Two methods for storing diapausing southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, larvae during winter and spring were evaluated. An experiment was conducted in 1985-86 to compare storage of diapausing larvae in polyethylene carboys buried underground with storage in an environmental chamber held at 10 (standard procedure) for 4 and 6 months. Survival of larvae upon removal from storage after 4 and 6 months was 98.4 and 97.6%, respectively, for those in the environmental chamber compared with 99.2 and 96.0% for those stored underground. The mean yield of normal adults from larvae that survived storage was 90% for all storage site and period treatments.
A computational analysis of the electrostatic potentials and relative bond strengths of hydrazine and some of its 1,1-dimethyl derivatives

We have carried out a computational study of hydrazine and five of its 1,1-dimethyl derivatives, focusing on their electrostatic potentials and relative bond strengths. Our approach has involved the calculation of ab initio self-consistent-field molecular orbital wave functions and molecular properties using the GAUSSIAN 82 system of programs. The electrostatic potentials of the hydrazines possess negative regions of varying sizes and strengths associated with the nitrogens of the α-diamino linkages. Through an analysis of the positions of the most negative potentials of these regions, we have obtained directly the dihedral angles between the nitrogen home pairs in these systems. Our use of the electrostatic potential to obtain these angles is a direct and general approach., in contrast to indirect procedures used in the past. We find this dihedral angle to be close to 90 o in hydrazine, with variations in the substituted hydrazines that depend on the nature of the substituents. A highly polar structure is found for 1-chromomethyl-1-methylhydrazine, which involves a delocalisation of electronic charge from the substituted nitrogen towards the CH 2 Cl group. We find that substituents able to withdraw significant amounts of electronic density from the central nitrogen lone pair regions, either through resonance or by induction, have a slight bond strengthening effect on the central N-N bond. This is attributed to a decrease in the repulsion between the weakened nitrogen lone pair regions. The difficulties to a decrease in the repulsion between the weakened nitrogen lone pair regions. The difficulties encountered in seeking the controlled oxidation of hydrazine to nitro derivatives may be due, in part, to the fact two factors which would favor this, highly negative nitrogen potentials and strong N,N-bonds, are opposing in nature
Comparative stability analysis of demand-side and supply-side input-output models

Abstract This paper presents the results of a comparison of technical coefficient stability in demand-side and supply-side input-output models using a seven-sector aggregation of the 1947, 1958, 1963, 1967, 1972, and 1977 U.S. input-output tables. Sectoral and total output forecasts of the two models, generated with known final demand and value added figures from all subsequent tables, are compared to known output figures. Although the demand-side model performs somewhat better in terms of total output forecasts, the supply-side model provides better forecasts for a larger number of sectors. This analysis suggests that both models should be used in order to determine the extent to which an economy or a sector are demand- or supply-driven.
A network-on-chip for radiation tolerant, multi-core FPGA systems

This paper describes research efforts to mitigate weaknesses in a TMR+spares radiation tolerant SRAM-based FPGA computer system. An existing 9-tile Microblaze architecture is reviewed and the desired improvements of fault-mitigated routing, fault location determination and performance enhancement via runtime-configurable hardware accelerators are discussed. Hamming encoding is proposed as a method for protecting the routing resources from radiation-induced single event upsets and as feedback to the computer's configuration control system to distinguish faults occurring in routing from those occurring within partially reconfigurable processing tiles. This is important as the recovery operation for each of these conditions is unique. Without the ability to distinguish routing faults from tile faults, routing faults are aliased as tile faults and unnecessary tile repair steps are taken. In addition to the protected routing with configuration control feedback, architecture for implementing TMR, processor-peripheral hardware accelerators is introduced.
Replication Standards for Quantitative Social Science: Why Not Sociology?

The credibility of quantitative social science benefits from policies that increase confidence that results reported by one researcher can be verified by others. Concerns about replicability have increased as the scale and sophistication of analyses increase the possible dependence of results on subtle analytic decisions and decrease the extent to which published articles contain full descriptions of methods. The author argues that sociology should adopt standards regarding replication that minimize its conceptualization as an ethical and individualistic matter and advocates for a policy in which authors use independent online archives to deposit the maximum possible information for replicating published results at the time of publication and are explicit about the conditions of availability for any necessary materials that are not provided. The author responds to several objections that might be raised to increasing the transparency of quantitative sociology in this way and offers a candidate replication...
Kant on justification in transcendental philosophy

Kant's claim that the justification of transcendental philosophy is a priori is puzzling because it should be consistent with (1) his general restriction on the justification of knowledge, that intuitions must play a role in the justification of all nondegenerate knowledge, with (2) the implausibility of a priori intuitions being the only ones on which transcendental philosophy is founded, and with (3) his professed view that transcendental philosophy is not analytic. I argue that this puzzle can be solved, that according to Kant transcendental philosophy is justified a priori in the sense that the only empirical information required for its justification can be derived from any possible human experience. Transcendental justification does not rely on any more particular or special observations or experiments. Philip Kitcher's general account of apriority in Kant captures this aspect of a priori knowledge. Nevertheless, I argue that Kitcher's account goes wrong in the link it specifies between apriority and certainty.
Deletion of enzyme protein from the brush border membrane in sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.

Abstract Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of brush border membranes from two siblings with sucrase-isomaltase deficiency revealed the absence of the protein band which is normally associated with the sucrase-isomaltase complex. Brush border enzyme activities other than sucrase and isomaltase were unimpaired and reflected a gel pattern comparable to that obtained with membranes from control subjects.
Influence of Certain Manipulative Variables on the Static Creep of Amalgam

The effects of trituration time on the creep of eight commercial dental amalgams was determined. The data show that trituration time does influence the creep of amalgam, but its magnitude varies from one alloy to another. The condensing procedure also influences creep.
The hybrid spheroid clonogenic assay for the intrinsic radio- and chemo-sensitivities of human tumors

The Hybrid Spheroid assay is based on packaging tumor cells into agglomerates of non-proliferating, but metabolically active, HeLa cells. These agglomerates provide an in vivo-like environment for entrapped test cells. Clonogenicity is determined by varying the number of test cells per hybrid spheroid so that some, but not all, spheroids give rise to macrocolonies. From the fraction of noncolony forming spheroids and the Poisson distribution, the average number of clonogens per spheroid can be calculated. The clonogenicity and radiation survival curves of cells derived from human tumors (of the maxilla, tongue, larynx, mouth floor, lung, breast, ovary, and colon) were so determined. Plating efficiency was increased in these normally poorly plating tumor cells, thus enabling survival measurements which are not practical using conventional methods. The Hybrid Spheroid assay has also been applied to determine the chemosensitivity of colon cancer cells.
Sample transport and electrokinetic injection in a microchip device for chemical cytometry.

Sample transport and electrokinetic injection bias are well characterized in capillary electrophoresis and simple microchips, but a thorough understanding of sample transport on devices combining electroosmosis, electrophoresis, and pressure-driven flow is lacking. In this work, we evaluate the effects of electric fields from 0 to 300 V/cm, electrophoretic mobilities from 10(-4) to 10(-6) cm(2)/Vs, and pressure-driven fluid velocities from 50 to 250 μm/s on sample injection in a microfluidic chemical cytometry device. By studying a continuous sample stream, we find that increasing electric field strength and electrophoretic mobility result in improved injection and that COMSOL simulations accurately predict sample transport. The effects of pressure-driven fluid velocity on injection are complex, and relative concentration values lie on a surface defined by pressure-driven flow rates. For high-mobility analytes, this surface is flat, and sample injection is robust despite fluctuations in flow rate. For lower mobility analytes, the surface becomes steeper, and injection depends strongly on pressure-driven flow. These results indicate generally that device design must account for analyte characteristics and specifically that this device is suited to high-mobility analytes. We demonstrate that for a suitable pair of peptides fluctuations in injection volume are correlated; electrokinetic injection bias is minimized; and electrophoretic separation is achieved.
Navigating virtual agents in online virtual worlds

We present an approach for navigating autonomous virtual agents in online virtual worlds that are based on a centralized server network topology. Each agent's motion is controlled through local and global navigation. Our local navigation model is based on artificial social forces that has been extended to account for inaccurate sensing from network latency. Global navigation for each virtual agent is based on cell decomposition and computes high level paths. The overall computation is balanced by performing local navigation on client machines and global navigation on the server. We have implemented our navigation algorithm into the Second Life virtual world and highlight our results by simulating up to 18 virtual agents over multiple different client computers.
The persistence of English in Liberia: sociolinguistic factors

: English has been a language of both prestige and socioeconomic advancement in Liberia. Historically, this was based on the political and economic position of a native English-speaking ethnic elite, as well as the spread of western values and customs within the majority of the non-elite. A military coup in 1980 removed the native English-speaking elite from their position of dominance in the social structure. The role of English, however, has not significantly been weakened. The Liberian case demonstrates the importance of the spread of western-based cultural values, independent from the role of elites in the social system, in understanding the continued significance of English.
Synchronization of estrus following 7 or 9 day treatment with chlormadinone acetate (CAP)

Abstract Synchronization of estrus and fertility were determined in a series of 8 trials. Various levels of chlormadinone acetate (CAP) were fed for either 7 or 9 days. An injection of 5 mg of estradiol valerate and CAP was given at the start of the feeding period. In some trials estradiol 17β was injected near the end of the feeding period. In trial 1, 98% of the CAP-treated heifers were in estrus in a 5-day period, but only 46% conceived at first service compared to 80% in the non-synchronized heifers (P In trials 2 through 6, 0.25 mg estradiol 17β injected either 60 or 72 hours after the last CAP feeding reduced the interval to ovulation in heifers that ovulated. However, use of estradiol 17β reduced the number of heifers ovulating in most trials. In trials 7 and 8, estrus was effectively synchronized with either 7- or 9-day feeding of 7.5 or 10 mg of CAP daily followed by .5 mg estradiol 17β, 72 hours after the last CAP feeding. Pregnancy rates at first service varied from 21 to 45% in heifers in the synchronized groups, compared to 58% in the controls in trial 7 (P In this series of trials, fertility was reduced from 24 to 43% with the use of CAP and estradiol valerate. Conception rates at first service were not improved by varying the length of feeding (7 or 9 days), level of CAP (7.5 or 10 mg) or by attempting to reduce the variation in ovulation time with estradiol 17β. None of the combinations of these three drugs used increased fertility in these trials.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: The Concept, the Reality, and the Promise

This commentary traces the origins and evolution of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) initiative and provides recommendations for increasing WEAAD's impact as a catalyst for a coordinated movement within the United States.
Operator factorization on partially ordered Hilbert resolution spaces with finite parameter sets

Abstract A generalization of the Gohberg-Krein theory of factorization along chains of subspaces to operators on partially ordered Hilbert resolution spaces was obtained by R. M. DeSantis and W. A. Porter by sacrificing a fundamental invariant subspace property of the factors. In the case where the parameter space is finite, this work gives a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a factorization which has the desired invariant subspace property.
Development of an elliptical trainer with real-time knee adduction moment feedback

The external knee adduction moment (EKAM) is associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in many aspects including its presence, progression, and severity. Despite of its importance, there is a lack of EKAM estimation methods that can provide patients with knee OA a real-time EKAM biofeedback during training and be used for routine clinical evaluations outside motion analysis laboratories. Thus, a practical real-time EKAM estimation method, which utilizes kinematic variables from a simple 6-DOF goniometer, was developed to provide patients with knee OA a real-time feedback of their EKAM during stepping on elliptical trainers (ETs) to reduce the damaging EKAM. Feasibility of the proposed method was verified on seven healthy subjects. Combined with advantages of ETs (e.g., functional weight-bearing stepping, mitigation of delivery of impulsive forces), the real-time EKAM estimation method is expected to benefit patients with knee OA.
Spatial-frequency-tuned channels in early infancy: VEP evidence

Spatial frequency (SF) adaptation of 3-, 6-, and 12-week-old infants produced changes in steady-state VEP amplitude to SF sweeps that closely resemble post-adaptation changes reported previously in adults. Following SF adaptation, VEP amplitude was attenuated to SFs near the adapting SF, and enhanced at SFs removed from the adapting SF in all age groups. This is interpreted as evidence for bandpass SF-tuned channels with coinhibitory interactions. The data presented here, in combination with VEP estimates of infant acuity, imply the existence of multiple bandpass SF-tuned channels with inhibitory relationships by 3 weeks of age. We hypothesize that neonatal spatial frequency filters are qualitatively adultlike.
Nanofabricated Three Dimensional Photonic Crystals Operating at Optical Wavelengths

We describe the nanofabrication of the first three-dimensional (3-d) photonic crystals with a forbidden photonic bandgap lying in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, 1.1 μm < λ < 1.5 μm, just beyond the electronic band-edge of GaAs. We fabricated these structures by chemically assisted ion beam etching through a triangular hole array mask, defined by electron beam lithography on GaAs. The 3-d forbidden photonic bandgap was spectrally tuned by 2-d lithographic control of the 3-d spatial periodicity. Optical transmission spectra were generally in good agreement with microwave frequency transmission on centimeter scale models. Nevertheless, we find that the mid-gap optical reflectivity is surprisingly sensitive to structural errors in the photonic crystal, degrading the optical rejection from an expected 95% to an observed 80%. We suggest that mid-gap attenuation in the most vulnerable k-space directions, rather than overall thickness, is the relevant Figure-of-Merit for nano-scale photonic crystals.
Alternative Methods of Service Delivery in Small and Rural Municipalities

Data from approximately 1,000 small, mostly rural municipalities in Illinois, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin address local choices on production and contracting arrangements for a wide range of services. The results suggest that the use of both for-profit contractors and cooperative agreements with other governments correlate negatively with population size. Small municipalities are less likely to use competitive bidding processes, compare costs between production options, or report that privatization produces savings. Median income, rural geography, and ideology show statistically significant associations with contracting decisions. Respondents generally consider themselves “satisfied” with services provided by contract, although satisfaction levels are lower than those associated with self-provision of the same services. Citizen satisfaction associated with services delivered by other governments is lower than those provided by private contractors, suggesting that no trade-off in service quality is directly attributable to for-profit contractors.
Strategies for Computerized Adaptive Grading Testing

IRT-based adaptive grading tests are designed to assign examinees to one of several grading categories. The item search algorithm in these tests can be based on either a golden section search, a Z-score, or an EAP-based search; these methods result, respectively, in the golden search grading test (GGT), the Z-score grading test (ZGT), and the EAP grading test (EGT). Grade assignments are evaluated after each item is administered and after the current trait estimate ([UNKNOWN]) has been determined. A test is terminated based on one of three conditions: (1) [UNKNOWN] is between two cutoff scores; (2) [UNKNOWN] is above or below the highest or lowest cutoff scores, respectively; or (3) a prespecified maximum number of items has been administered. Monte carlo studies using actual ACT Mathematics test item parameters showed that all three strategies effectively assigned examinees into multiple achievement grade levels. EGT had more correct classifications in the middle range of grade levels and more classifica...
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Adsorbates Using a Tunable Diode Laser

Abstract Single-reflection infrared reflection-absorption spectra (IRRAS) of adsorbates on surfaces have been obtained using a tunable diode laser radiation source. Surface sensitivity is achieved through the use of polarization modulation, and the high brightness of the laser light source has made possible the observation of vibrational modes at energies much lower than those accessible with conventional blackbody sources. Results are presented for the chemisorption of oxygen on polycrystalline aluminum showing surface (580 cm −1 ) and subsurface (890 cm −1 ) A1–0 stretching modes at sub-monolayer coverage.
Conformal invariance, finite-size effects, and the exact correlators for the δ-function bose gas

Abstract The quantum nonlinear Schrodinger model (one-dimensional Bose gas) is analyzed by means of conformal field theory. We show that conformal algebra, which describes the long-distance asymptotic behavior of the model, in conjunction with a specific choice of the cut-off procedure, can be used to solve the problem of exact correlators and determine unambiguously all nonuniversal quantities of the model. The connection between the Virasoro and Bethe ansatz bases is discussed and a number of new results, including the expression for the current-current correlator defined on a finite-width strip, are presented.
Low-Power, Fast Hybrid Silicon Switches for High-Capacity Optical Networks

We draw a comparison between the energy utilization of electronic and optical routers. A hybrid silicon switch was demonstrated with low power consumption and fast switching speed. Its potential in high-capacity optical networks is discussed.
Characterization of the ß-galactosidase from a lactose-negative, complementing mutant of Escherichia coli K12

Abstract The enzyme s-galactosidase (s- d -galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.23) synthesized by a lactose-negative, cross-reacting material (CRM) positive mutant of Escherichia coli K12, was purified and characterized by several physicochemical procedures. The basal level of enzymatic activity associated with extracts from this mutant are the result of low levels (5%) of naturally occurring tetramer which has a specific activity on the order of 10 −3 that of the wild-type 3300 strain and is more labile to thermal inactivation. The major CRM-positive, complementing protein has been shown, however, to be a dimer with a molecular weight of approx. 250 000. The complementing dimer shows complete immunological identity with the wild-type protein demonstrating that the dissociation of tetramer to dimer does not qualitatively effect the immunochemical properties of the enzyme. Finally, the mutational effect on the enzyme which prohibits the formation of the normal tetramer from dimers also prohibits the normal polymerization of monomers into more highly aggregated isozymes such as those which occur in the wild-type strain.
A test of the larval retention hypothesis in seamount-generated flows

Abstract Distributions of larvai of benthic invertebrates in water column near Feiberling Guyot, a talls eamount in the eastern tropical Pacific, were compared with studies of physical oceanographic processes in an effort to test the hypothesis that larvae are retained in seamount-generated flows. Field measurements of currents during 1990 and 1991 had shown that flows near the seamount were driven by tidal rectification, resulting in anticyclonic circulation over the summit and a vertical-radial circulation cell characterized by downwelling at the seamount center, outwelling at the level of the rim, and inward return flows above the level of the rim. No persistent, bottom-trapped, stagnant region was detected on the seamount, but the tidally rectified vertical-radial circulation could theoretically retain larvae. Larval abundances quantified in net samples collected near the seamount in September of 1989 and 1990 were slightly higher near the seamount center than over the flank or base (far field), but did not show the distinct, bottom-trapped aggregation expected from retention in a classic Taylor cap. Larval abundance patterns over the broad region of the seamount (even at the far field sampling locations) were, however, consistent with retention in the tidally rectified circulation. Hydroid colonization on settlement plates suspended on moorings for 6- and 13-month periods (an indirect measure of hydroid larval abundance) was concentrated over a narrow depth range (450–650 m) but extended radially over 40 km away from the seamount center, a pattern also consistent with larval transport and retention in the tidally-rectified circulation cell.
Insulin-stimulated ribonucleic acid synthesis and RNA polymerase activity in alloxan-diabetic rat liver.

Abstract Administration of insulin to alloxan-diabetic rats stimulated equally the incorporation of [ 14 C]orotic acid or 32 P 1 into liver RNA within 30–60 min after injection. RNA polymerase (nucleosidetriphosphate: RNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.6) activity of isolated liver nuclei was also stimulated by insulin in vivo . This activity rose measurably within 2 h after insulin injection and reached peak levels (2.3-fold increase) after 36 h of insulin treatment. Addition of insulin to nuclei in vitro did not affect RNA polymerase activity. The rise in RNA polymerase activity after insulin was almost completely blocked by the simultaneous administration of puromycin, suggesting a requirement for protein synthesis in this response.
Exercise attenuates oral intake of amphetamine in rats

The effects of wheel running on oral intake of amphetamine were examined in six male Sprague-Dawley rats given a 0.075-mg/ml amphetamine sulfate solution as their sole source of liquid, six rats given a 0.15-mg/ml amphetamine solution, and four rats given water as their sole source of liquid. All animals were housed in Wahmann running wheels and adjoining cages, and had ad lib access to ground Purina Chow. For the first 7 days of the experiment, the doors to the running wheels were closed; the wheels were then opened for 6 days. This cycle was repeated a second time. Animals drinking the 0.15-mg/ml amphetamine solution consumed significantly less food and gained less weight than animals in the other two groups. Although there was no difference in food intake between rats drinking water and rats drinking the 0.075-mg/ml amphetamine solution, rats in the water group gained significantly more weight than rats in the 0.075-mg/ml amphetamine group. With respect to drug intake, rats consumed significantly less amphetamine when running in the wheels than when access to the wheels was prohibited. Access to running wheels did not alter water intake. These latter results suggest that drug intake can be reduced by the provision of an alternate behavior.
A semiparametric structural analysis of the idling of cement kilns

Abstract This paper estimates the decision rule for idling capital at the micro (firm) level. This is done for a cement kiln by using data from the US cement industry. The decision rule for not operating a kiln at a given point in time is the standard rule: do not operate if the average variable cost exceeds price. The parameters of this discrete-decision rule are semiparametrically estimated using the maximum-score method and the estimates are then compared with the logit maximum-likelihood estimates in terms of their values as well as predictions.
Controlled/living radical polymerization with dendrimers containing stable radicals

TEMPO-based stable radicals were attached to dendrimers of variable size and used to control radical polymerization of styrene, vinyl acetate, and (meth)acrylates. Thermal polymerization of styrene...
Critical, Interpretive, and Normative Perspectives of Educational Foundations: Contributions for the 21st Century

In 2011, the American Educational Studies Association's (AESA) Committee on Academic Standards and Accreditation (CASA) revised the Standards for Academic and Professional Instruction in Foundation...
Optimum sensor placement for fully and partially controllable sensor networks: A unified approach

Abstract This paper considers the problem of optimum sensor placement in 2D for source localization using time of arrival measurements. We adopt a compact expression of the Fisher information matrix and derive the condition for sensor placements that will minimize the trace of the Cramer–Rao lower bound matrix of a source location estimate. The proposed placement criterion and solution framework apply to both fully and partially controllable sensor networks.
Molecule specific imaging in biology: What are the challenges and the important applications?

Abstract It is becoming clear that mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for the analysis and imaging of complex organic and biological systems. The discussion session “Meeting the Challenge of Molecule Specific Analysis and Imaging in Organic and Bio-Systems” will attempt to illustrate the challenges to be met in mass spectral imaging and analysis of biological samples. Some of these challenges will be discussed here including the issues of sensitivity needed to obtain high resolution images at the cellular and sub-cellular level, information that can be obtained with alternative techniques and where will they be better versus when SIMS will be better suited to the need, and finally the need for depth profiling and mechanisms to achieve this goal for cellular samples.
Y-Box Binding Protein 1 and RNase UK114 Mediate Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 mRNA Stability in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) plays a pivotal role in many inflammatory processes, including the progression of atherosclerosis and the response of the arterial wall to injury. We previously demonstrated that dexamethasone (Dex) inhibits MCP-1 mRNA accumulation in smooth muscle cells by decreasing its half-life. The effect of Dex was dependent upon the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and independent of new transcription. Using RNA affinity and column chromatography, we have identified two proteins involved in regulating MCP-1 mRNA stability: Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1), a multifunctional DNA/RNA-binding protein, and endoribonuclease UK114 (UK). By immunoprecipitation, YB and GR formed a complex present in equal amounts in extracts from untreated and Dex-treated cells. YB-1, UK, and GR small interfering RNA (siRNA) substantially inhibited the effect of Dex on MCP-1 mRNA accumulation. In addition, YB-1 antibody blocked the degradation of MCP-1 mRNA by cytoplasmic extracts from the Dex-treated cells. The degradative activity of extracts immunoprecipitated with antibodies to either YB-1 or GR was blocked with UK antibody. UK did not degrade MCP-1 mRNA; however, upon addition to nondegrading control extracts, it rapidly degraded MCP-1 mRNA. These studies define new roles for GR, YB-1, and UK in the formation of a molecular complex that degrades MCP-1 mRNA.
Minimum Phase Considerations in the Analysis of Sinusoidal Work

A rational transfer function has the property that, given the amplitude response to a sinusoidal input, a unique minimum phase response exists. The property can be used to check to see if a rational transfer function is an appropriate model. This concept was applied to recently published sinusoidal O2 consumption data.
Some new perspectives on the probabilistic modeling of floods

Abstract In the design of a flood control system a flood hydrograph realization, corresponding to a stated risk is taken as the hydrograph to be routed through the system. In general, floods come in groups and form multipeaked hydrographs. A multipeaked flood hydrograph (or a group of floods) when routed through a reservoir-levee-wall flood control system may yield a more critical result than routing a single-peaked flood hydrograph even if each of the peaks in the multipeaked hydrograph is smaller than the peak of the single-peaked hydrograph. This is due to the fact that while the earlier floods within a flood group may not be critical for the system, they may still fill the reservoir to a critical level so that the later floods in the flood group are passed by the reservoir directly downstream and, thereby, cause damage downstream. Similar arguments also follow for the flood levees and flood walls on the river reach downstream of a reservoir, since there is a channel storage during the passage of a flood wave through the river channel. Also due to storage in the system, not only the peak discharge stochasticity but the stochasticity of the complete flood hydrograph shape needs to be described. Instead of basing the probabilistic description of flood realizations on a single peak discharge, this paper presents in a mostly graphical fashion some new stochastic models for the complete shapes of generally multipeaked continuous-time flood realizations. First, a point stochastic model of the multistation precipitation process is presented. Using precipitation as the driving process of floods, a three-dimensional point stochastic (3-DPS) model for flood starting times, times to peaks and peak magnitudes is presented. Then a stochastic model for the continuous-time flood realizations, as an extension of the previous 3-DPS model, is discussed.
Structural evidence for substrate‐induced synergism and half‐sites reactivity in biotin carboxylase

Bacterial acetyl-CoA carboxylase is a multifunctional biotin-dependent enzyme that consists of three separate proteins: biotin carboxylase (BC), biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), and carboxyltransferase (CT). Acetyl-CoA carboxylase is a potentially attractive target for novel antibiotics because it catalyzes the first committed step in fatty acid biosynthesis. In the first half-reaction, BC catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of BCCP. In the second half-reaction, the carboxyl group is transferred from carboxybiotinylated BCCP to acetyl-CoA to produce malonyl-CoA. A series of structures of BC from several bacteria crystallized in the presence of various ATP analogs is described that addresses three major questions concerning the catalytic mechanism. The structure of BC bound to AMPPNP and the two catalytically essential magnesium ions resolves inconsistencies between the kinetics of active-site BC mutants and previously reported BC structures. Another structure of AMPPNP bound to BC shows the polyphosphate chain folded back on itself, and not in the correct (i.e., extended) conformation for catalysis. This provides the first structural evidence for the hypothesis of substrate-induced synergism, which posits that ATP binds nonproductively to BC in the absence of biotin. The BC homodimer has been proposed to exhibit half-sites reactivity where the active sites alternate or “flip-flop” their catalytic cycles. A crystal structure of BC showed the ATP analog AMPPCF2P bound to one subunit while the other subunit was unliganded. The liganded subunit was in the closed or catalytic conformation while the unliganded subunit was in the open conformation. This provides the first structural evidence for half-sites reactivity in BC.
The Malagasy endemic Dendroportulaca (Portulacaceae) is referable to Deeringia (Amaranthaceae): molecular and morphological evidence

Dendroportulaca mirabilis U. Eggli, a Malagasy liana described as an atypical member of Portulacaceae, was shown by ndhF sequence data to be placed within Amaranthaceae tribe Celosieae, strongly supported as sister to Deeringia polysperma. A re-evaluation of the morphology of Dendroportulaca, including field observations, also supported its placement within Celosieae and in particular its relationship to the existing Malagasy species of Deeringia. Dendroportulaca mirabilis is herein transferred to Deeringia.
The Biophysical Profile: Antepartal Assessment of Fetal Well Being

The assessment of fetal well‐being is a primary consideration for perinatal nurses. The biophysical profile is a clinical evaluation of the status of the fetus based on assessment of multiple discrete variables. This article describes current biophysical profile scoring systems, the physiologic basis of the fetal variables, and factors that may affect the variables. It also discusses issues related to future applications and refinement of the biophysical profile, as well as nursing implications of the technology.
Absorption and bioavailability of DL-methionine hydroxy analog compared to DL-methionine.

Intestinal absorption of crystalline DL-methionine (DL-MET) and DL-methionine hydroxy analog calcium (DL-HMA) were determined in a true-digestibility-balance assay using cecectomized (CEC) and sham-operated conventional (CONV) cockerels. The treatments consisted of fasted birds and birds crop-intubated (CI) with 30 g of a corn-soybean meal basal diet (16% CP) supplemented with 0, .2, or .4% of DL-MET or equimolar levels of DL-HMA. There was no detectable free D-MET or L-MET or HMA in the excreta of fasted birds or of those fed the unsupplemented basal diet. The intestinal absorption of DL-HMA was 95.9 +/- .8% (means +/- SE) for CEC and 98.8 +/- .8% for the CONV cockerels. The absorption of DL-MET was approximately 99.7 +/- .2% for the CEC and the CONV cockerels. In a second experiment procedures were developed for a bioavailability assessment by comparing the growth responses to CI and intraperitoneal-injected (IP) DL-MET or DL-HMA in chicks fed a crystalline-amino-acid diet deficient in methionine. Graded increments of pH-adjusted DL-MET or DL-HMA (in water solutions) were administered twice daily in a 7-day growth assay. Slope-ratio analysis indicated that bioavailability (+/- SE) of CI DL-HMA was 91.3 +/- 11.8% relative to the CI DL-MET on an equimolar basis. The bioavailability of CI DL-HMA was similar to that of IP DL-HMA, indicating that the intestinal absorption of DL-HMA was highly efficient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Place for Every Tool and Every Tool in Its Place: Cognitive Integrative Perspective for Coherence on the New Frontier of Mind and Body Practice

There is currently a growing research and clinical knowledge base regarding the application of Eastern traditions, especially mindfulness and other forms of meditation, to direct practice. As we incorporate new tools for intervention into our toolkit, it is important to expand our theoretical framework so that we can know when to utilize these tools, how their mechanism fits with the tools we already have, and what kinds of change or outcomes we should expect from utilizing them. These new tools are powerful across many experiences of distress, but clear guidelines are necessary to maximize their benefit. Berlin’s cognitive-integrative perspective provides a framework that allows for reflective understanding and application of mind/body/spirit that is consistent with social work values and what we currently know about the underlying science of mind. Using concrete examples from direct practice, this paper will lay out the framework that is consonant with Siegel’s interpersonal neurobiology, discussed in this volume, and also firmly rooted in the person-in-environment perspective that is characteristic of social work.
Feasibility of using silicon-substrate recording electrodes within the auditory nerve.

Abstract The use of penetrating, silicon-substrate (i.e., “thin-film”) probes within a cross-section of a sensory nerve offers the possibility of assessing the pattern and extent of fiber excitation within the nerve. We used acute cat preparations to assess the feasibility of this technique for recordings within the auditory nerve trunk. Four probe configurations fabricated by the University of Michigan Center for Neural Communication Technology were evaluated using acoustic and electric stimuli. Our main concerns were the nature of the recorded potentials and the degree of spatial selectivity provided by these probes. We also made some basic assessments of electrode-tissue compatibility. The recorded potentials were characterized as field potentials with varying degrees of spatial selectivity. In some cases, responses to pure tones demonstrated good spatial selectivity, with unique responses recorded by different electrode sites. When electrode sites were positioned at different longitudinal positions along the nerve trunk, responses with latencies characteristic of each site were recorded. These results indicate that thin-film electrodes are capable of providing spatially specific response information from sensory nerves. However, in the case of feline auditory nerves, place-specific responses were inconsistently observed, making it difficult to use this technique to obtain detailed cochleotopic maps of neural excitation. More productive results may be possible from other peripheral nerves with less complex spatial arrangements of fibers.
Radiation-resistant thymic stem cells.

Summary1. Thymus rudiments obtained from 12 to 13 day mouse embryos were irradiated with 250, 500 or 1000 R X-rays and their subsequent morphogenesis studied both in vitro and by transplantation into irradiated host animals.2. Although irradiation had a marked effect on total growth of rudiments, the differentiation of lymphoid cells did not appear to be inhibited.3. Both on the basis of morphology in histological preparations and by size analysis, lymphocytes formed after irradiation were indistinguishable from lymphocytes produced by unirradiated rudiments.4. The results suggest that a significant portion of lymphoid precursor cells of the early embryonic rudiment of the thymus are radiation resistant.
The second woman in the theater of Villedieu

Best known for her prose fiction, Marie-Catherine Desjardins de Villedieu was also a successful playwright. Her three tragi-comedies (Manlius, Nitelis, and Le Favori), while significantly dissimilar in many respects, share an unusual feature. All three plays foreground the figure of the second woman, second because her role is clearly less central to the play's action than that of another woman character. In each case, the relationships between this second woman and the other characters of the play defy the traditional categories of the seventeenth-century stage. Furthermore, the second woman is not an object of desire. The differences between the first and second women are reflected and reinforced by a curious tendency in the structure of all three plays to split. Both on the level of plot and that of scenic representation, the three tragi-comedies resist unity. An examination of each of the plays reveals the links between the presence of the second woman and this structural split. The second woman, as a departure from the norms of the classical stage, becomes a significant locus for Villedieu's inscription of a personal, and distinctly female, authorial voice.
The Prevention of Extramarital Involvement: Steps Toward “Affair Proofing” Marriage

In this paper I provide comments on the Allen et al. paper (this issue). I note that it provides the first critical, comprehensive, and integrative review of extramarital involvement (EMI) to appear in the literature, and I summarize some of its major contributions to the field. I then focus on how the review stimulated my thinking about current and future best practices in marriage education for the prevention of EMI. I conclude by suggesting several directions for future research and practice. Key words: affair prevention, infidelity, couples.
Independent Global Modes of Solar Magnetic Field Fluctuations

Observed solar, interplanetary and geomagnetic time series contain quasi periodicities on scales of 1–2.5 years. The further discovery of 1.3 year fluctuations in helioseismic observations suggests that a variety of signals may be related to the underlying dynamo in the Sun. We use independent component analysis to study the temporal and spatial variations of a few statistically independent global modes of the axisymmetric solar magnetic field over a period of 25 years. Five modes capture the salient properties of the data. Two modes describe the polar and high latitude fields, and present 1–1.5 year quasi periodicities. The other three modes correspond to low and mid-latitude phenomena and show both 1.3 and 1.7-year variations. By comparing the characteristic time scales, dates of occurrence and heliocentric latitudes of these modes, we connect them to their manifestations in heliospheric time series.