cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of sulfate transport in human red blood cells by isothiocyanates.

A kinetic analysis of anion self-exchange in human red blood cells, in the presence of an irreversible inhibitor, is presented and applied to the study of the inactivation of sulfate transport by three isothiocyanates: 3-isothiocyano-1,5-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, disodium salt (INDS), 1-isothiocyano-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid, sodium salt, monohydrate (INS), and 1-isothiocyano-4-benzenesulfonic acid, sodium salt, monohydrate (IBS). The time dependence of the inhibition of sulfate transport by the isothiocyanates used could be described by a single exponential and could be shown to contain a reversible and an irreversible component. In each case a portion of sulfate efflux was found to be resistant to inactivation. The residual portion of the sulfate efflux varied with inhibition: 4% for INS, 16% for INDS, and 34% for IBS. INS showed the largest reversible inhibitory effect (12% of the flux remaining at 0.2mm inhibitor concentration), while INDS showed the weakest effect (92% of the flux remaining at 0.3mm inhibitor concentration). IBS had the highest rate of inactivation while INDS had the lowest. The kinetic analysis further suggests that all three isothiocyanates bind reversibly to an inhibitory site on the membrane before they bind covalently, and therefore irreversibly, to the same site on the membrane. The equilibrium constant for the dissociation of the reversibly-bound complex,K i, and the rate of irreversible inactivation after all membrane sites are reversibly bound,k max, have been computed for all three inhibitors: INDS (K i=420μm,k max=5.04 hr−1), INS (K i=148 μm,k max=6.48 hr−1), and IBS (K i=208 μm,k max=8.11 hr−1).
Peer Evaluation in a Clinical Clerkship: Students’ Attitudes, Experiences, and Correlations With Traditional Assessments

The authors performed this study to determine whether clerkship peer evaluations, initiated as part of our “team-based learning” curriculum in 2002, correlated with other student performance measures and to determine what qualities students rate in their peer evaluations. The authors correlated peer evaluation scores with other student performance measures and performed a qualitative examination of student comments to assess reasons students gave for giving high and low scores. Peer evaluation scores correlated modestly with the National Board of Medical Examiners’ (NBME) subject test, in-class quiz, and clinical scores. Qualitative comments demonstrated that students made assessments based on three thematic areas: personal attributes, team contributions, and cognitive abilities. Peers’ evaluation scores modestly predict which students will perform well on other measures. However, there may be other qualities that are also important factors in peer evaluation. For example, most students value qualities of preparation and participation. Though students sometimes dislike peer evaluations, their assessments may enhance traditional course assessments and complement a comprehensive evaluation strategy.
Nuclear localization of anti-Hu antibody is not associated with in vitro cytotoxicity

IgG fractions of sera containing anti-Hu antibodies or control sera were incubated with Hu-positive and Hu-negative cell lines. Anti-Hu IgG specifically localized in the nucleus of Hu-positive cells. Anti-Hu-positive and control sera were incubated with Hu-positive cells and human complement or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Hu antibody caused neither complement-mediated lysis nor augmented antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Anti-Hu IgG did not affect proliferation of Hu-positive cells. Anti-Hu antibodies may not play a direct role in tissue injury in patients with paraneoplastic encephalomyeloneuropathy and anti-Hu antibodies.
Viewing the Disabled Child in the Sociocultural Milieu Vygotsky's Quest

L. Vygotsky formulated a theoretical framework for the most comprehensive, inclusive and humane practice of special education. This article starts with a brief historical review of paedology and de...
3.0 vs 1.5 T MRI in the detection of focal cartilage pathology--ROC analysis in an experimental model.

Summary Objective To use receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis for assessing the diagnostic performance of three cartilage-specific MR sequences at 1.5 and 3T in detecting cartilage lesions created in porcine knees. Design Eighty-four cartilage lesions were created in 27 porcine knee specimens at the patella, the medial and lateral femoral and the medial and lateral tibial cartilage. MR imaging was performed using a fat saturated spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) sequence (in plane spatial resolution/slice thickness: 0.20×0.39mm 2 /1.5mm) and two fat saturated proton density weighted (PDw) sequences (low spatial resolution: 0.31×0.47mm 2 /3mm and high spatial resolution: 0.20×0.26mm 2 /2mm). The images were independently analyzed by three radiologists concerning the absence or presence of lesions using a five-level confidence scale. Significances of the differences for the individual sequences were calculated based on comparisons of areas under ROC curves ( A Z ). Results The highest A Z -values for all three radiologists were consistently obtained for the SPGR ( A Z =0.84) and the high-resolution (hr) PDw ( A Z =0.79) sequences at 3T. The corresponding A Z -values at 1.5T were 0.77 and 0.69; the differences between 1.5 and 3T were statistically significant ( P A Z -values for the low-resolution PDw sequence were lower: 0.59 at 3T and 0.55 at 1.5T and the differences between 1.5 and 3T were not significant. Conclusion With optimized hr MR sequences diagnostic performance in detecting cartilage lesions was improved at 3T. For a standard, lower spatial resolution PDw sequence no significant differences, however, were found.
Twenty-five cultures of lichenizing fungi available for experimental studies on symbiotic systems

In this study we describe the techniques used to culture 25 mycobionts spanning three classes and five orders of the leotiomyceta (Ascomycota). We find that five media, including potato-carrot, malt extract-yeast extract (MY), Bold’s basal medium with nitrogen (NMBBM), oatmeal, and yeast extract with supplements (YES), are sufficient to induce ascospore germination of many lichenizing fungi and are also suitable for maintaining growth of the culture over the long term. Regular physical disruption of the cultures in liquid media is recommended to stimulate continued growth. Genomes of five of these lichen-forming fungal strains have been sequenced. The identity of each culture was confirmed by sequencing the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) or the mitochondrial small subunit (mitSSU) from each strain. Additionally, the level of sequencing in terms of total number of genes sequenced for each taxon is provided. All fungal cultures have been deposited in public culture collections and, therefore, are available to the scientific community for conducting in vitro experiments.
Storage-Induced Changes in Phosphorus Solubility of Air-Dried Soils

Soil is commonly stored in an air-dried state for extended periods before chemical analysis. The effect of storage on P solubility was assessed by determining NaHCO 3 -extractable P concentrations in a range of pasture soils from England and Wales (total C = 28.9-80.4 g kg -1 , clay = 219-681 g kg -1 , pH = 4.4-6.8) immediately following air drying and after 3 yr of storage at ambient laboratory temperature. Following storage, NaHCO 3 -extractable inorganic P concentrations decreased by between 2 and 60% (mean decrease = 21%), while NaHCO 3 -extractable organic P concentrations increased by between 48 and 156% (mean increase = 95%). The greatest changes occurred in soils of pH < 5.3. The changes appear to result from the disruption of organic matter coatings on mineral surfaces, continuous solid-phase diffusion of phosphate into soil particles, and decomposition of microbial cells. The results have important implications for the determination of NaHCO 3 -extractable P in stored soils and highlight the importance of working with fresh samples to derive information with relevance to field conditions.
Absence of p53 point mutations in parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder characterized by aberrant growth and function of solitary or multiple parathyroid glands. Many, if not all, parathyroid adenomas are examples of benign clonal neoplastic growth. The molecular events associated with the development of parathyroid neoplasia have not been well characterized. We examined benign and malignant parathyroid tissues for structural abnormalities of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. To screen for mutations in the p53 gene, we analyzed polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. DNA was isolated from 26 benign parathyroid adenomas and 3 parathyroid carcinomas, and polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify DNA fragments corresponding to the 4 evolutionarily conserved domains within exons 5, 7, and 8 of the p53 gene in which the majority of point mutations have been identified. Amplified DNA fragments were electrophoresed through polyacrylamide gels with linearly increasing gradients of the denatu...
Measurements of analyzing power at small-t

Abstract Predictions for polarization in p-p elastic scattering at high energies and small-t are based on the assumption of spin independence for the nuclear elastic scattering amplitudes. Possible new physics can be investigated through precision measurements of polarization or analyzing power at small-t. We propose to use the FERMILAB polarized beam for measurements of analyzing power; initial operation of a new polarimeter is described.
Fiber inline core-cladding-mode interferometer fabricated by CO 2 laser irradiation

Fiber inline core-cladding-mode interferometers (CCMI) fabricated by CO 2 laser irradiations were demonstrated. CCMI sensors operate based on the interference between the core mode and the cladding modes. Based on the way the interferometer is configured, CCMI sensors can be categorized into two groups, namely the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) type and the Michelson interferometer (MI) type. The MZI sensor works in transmission mode, i.e., the transmitted interference signal is detected. The MI sensor works in reflection mode, where the light passes the interferometer twice and the reflected interference signal is detected. We conducted a temperature test and a refractive index test to demonstrate their sensing capability.
Immediate Psychological Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Symptoms of PTSD and Coping Skills

Five hundred eighty-eight participants completed the Short Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT; Connor & Davidson, 2001) and the Brief COPE (Carver, 1997) to determine the psychological impacts and coping styles of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Gulf Coast residents. Participants were divided into at-risk and nonrisk groups based on their occupations. Results indicated that 28% of the respondents scored above the SPRINT cutoff score, indicating significant levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Furthermore, the Brief COPE results revealed that the at-risk group showed a negative correlation between active coping and the level of PTSD-related symptoms. The at-risk respondents also showed negative correlations of PTSD-related symptoms with coping strategies such as acceptance, planning, positive reframing, humor, and religion. Future research directions are also discussed.
Arguing about Cambodia: Genocide and Political Interest

In her much discussed book, A Problem from Hell: America in the Age of Genocide, Samantha Power presented the apparent paradox of South Dakota Senator George McGovern, who had long been a leading opponent of U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, calling on the United States in 1978 to organize an international force to depose the regime of the Khmer Rouge (KR). McGovern’s position was not shared by all former opponents of the war. Some believed that criticism of the human rights records of Vietnam and Cambodia under communist rule would simply legitimate the claims of American conservatives who had long held that there would be a bloodbath if the United States did not prevail in its struggle against communism in Southeast Asia.1 Reports of atrocities and of the brutal suppression of human rights caused heated debate in the United States and Great Britain. The arguments over the proper way to interpret the Khmer Rouge regime and its attempted transformation of Cambodian society continued for another 30 years, albeit in various permutations. Much of the debate was intended to vindicate a particular political perspective, and it often appeared as though the Cambodian people were little more than props in the rhetorical, ideological, and policy strategies of academics, journalists, and governments.
TMQ: Threat model quantification in Smart Grid critical infrastructures

For proper security risk management and effective deployment of security solutions in smart grid critical infrastructures, accurate identification and in-depth understanding of threats are crucial. Traditional descriptive threat models are often considered insufficient for accurate and mathematical numerical risk analyses of such critical infrastructures. In this paper, we propose TMQ, a novel and scalable threat model quantification method to create numerical models of various threat categories automatically. In particular, TMQ makes use of several sources of information to quantify the individual threat vectors. First, TMQ utilizes the smart grid network topology and global security access control policies to create a state-based security model for the smart grid using the Markov decision processes formalism. Then, TMQ utilizes traditional descriptive threat models, historical attack reports, intrusion detection logs as well as reports/interviews by/with hackers to quantify adversarial viewpoints of attackers from various threat categories against the smart grid. The result is an automatically generated model with specialized reward functions for each category of attackers. Our experimental results on a smart grid testbed network with several vulnerabilities show that TMQ can accurately quantify traditional descriptive threat models efficiently.
Alternatives to U.S. drug policy

The current United States drug policy is not succeeding; it neither significantly reduces the supply nor the demand for illicit drugs. This paper and its accompanying table explores alternatives to the current national policy. None of the options discussed offers a panacea to our problems; each has various flaws and advantages. The analysis uses a harm reduction approach, and examines certain variables in order to assess relative costs and benefits of each option. The debate can be reduced to one fundamental question: which policy proposal is politically feasible and can minimize harm while maximizing benefits? Health and public health professional are urged to become more proactive on behalf of a more effective policy.
DIFFERENTIATING YEASTS FROM BACTERIA IN THE PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE

nus Trichophyton is characterized by the occasional production of thin-walled, round-ended, nonecmnulate macroconidia and prodigious production of uniquely shaped and organized microconidia. The genus Microsporum is characterized by the usually prolific production of thick-walled, tapered-ended, echinulate macroconidia and occasional nonspecific microconidia. The genus Epidermophyton is characterized by the abundant production of thin-tomedium-walled, blunt-ended, nonechinulate macroconidia and the total absence of microconidia. Greer: Workshops SIll
Reorganization of the insect nervous system during metamorphosis

Abstract During insect metamorphosis there is a substantial reorganization of the central nervous system (CNS) that entails not only neurogenesis and cell death, but also the remodelling of many larval neurons for new roles in the pupa or adult. Accumulating evidence suggests that both steroid and peptide hormones regulate the anatomical and physiological changes which are part of the process. The relative ease with which these events may be investigated at the cellular level suggests that insects may provide useful models for studying postembryonic changes and their hormonal induction in the vertebrate CNS.
Seismic Rocking Response of a Triangular Building Founded on Sand

Abstract A twenty‐two story, triangular in plan, symmetrical, reinforced concrete building on the beachfront in Vin˜a del Mar, Chile, was temporarily instrumented in August 1985 following the 3 March 1985 Central Chile earthquake (Ms = 7.8) and aftershocks were recorded. Ambient and free vibration tests were also performed. The paper reports studies of the records of the responses of the building, the primary modes of vibration of the structure, its excellent performance during the earthquake and results from analyses using mathematical models and system identification techniques.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in general intensive care unit survivors: a systematic review

Abstract Objective Our objective was to summarize and critically review data on the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in general intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, risk factors for post-ICU PTSD and the impact of post-ICU PTSD on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and a hand-search of 13 journals. Results Fifteen studies were eligible. The median point prevalence of questionnaire-ascertained “clinically significant” PTSD symptoms was 22% (n=1104), and the median point prevalence of clinician-diagnosed PTSD was 19% (n=93). Consistent predictors of post-ICU PTSD included prior psychopathology, greater ICU benzodiazepine administration and post-ICU memories of in-ICU frightening and/or psychotic experiences. Female sex and younger age were less consistent predictors, and severity of critical illness was consistently not a predictor. Post-ICU PTSD was associated with substantially lower HRQOL. Conclusions The prevalence of PTSD in ICU survivors is high and negatively impacts survivors' HRQOL. Future studies should comprehensively address how patient-specific factors (e.g., pre-ICU psychopathology), ICU management factors (e.g., administration of sedatives) and ICU clinical factors (e.g., in-ICU delirium) relate to one another and to post-ICU PTSD. Clinicians caring for the growing population of ICU survivors should be aware of PTSD risk factors and monitor patients' needs for early intervention.
The last cover.

“Don't judge a book by its cover.” —George Eliot [(1)][1] Starting next month, readers of iJACC who have for the past 6 and one-half years associated our journal with exquisitely delightful and colorful covers will see a new minimalistic outer cover design. The new cover format, displaying
Antiretroviral Adherence Interventions: Translating Research Findings to the Real World Clinic

The success of potent combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection is compromised primarily by failure to maintain optimal levels of adherence over the long term. Recent reviews suggest behavioral interventions to promote ART adherence can have significant effects, but these tend to be small and to diminish over time; sustained improvements in biomarkers are particularly elusive. In this article, we update current reviews, focusing specifically on the 13 studies evaluating behavioral interventions to promote ART adherence published since September 2007. We describe the range of intervention strategies employed and qualitatively summarize findings of their efficacy. In conclusion, we consider implications and offer strategies for enhancing adherence in clinic-based HIV care prior to ART initiation, at initiation, and over the course of treatment.
Spirituality: Its Role as a Mediating Protective Factor in Youth at Risk for Suicide

The aim of this study is to examine the role of spiritual well-being as a predictor of suicide risk, specifically the role of spiritual beliefs as a mediating variable in predicting risk in a diverse sample of college-aged youth. Participants (N = 243) completed self-report instruments to assess suicidality, social support, spiritual well-being, and reasons for living. Logistic regression analyses were performed using the independent variables to predict suicide-related behaviors. Spiritual beliefs may function as a mediating variable by assisting the negotiation of social support where increased levels promote higher levels of coping.
Factors affecting falling by older psychiatric inpatients.

Abstract A search via the literature and two new studies for factors predictive of falling by psychiatric inpatients 50 years and older revealed the following. Comparison in an initial study of patients who had fallen with control patients who had not fallen demonstrated little clearcut difference in regard to possible effects of 64 variables. A second, larger study showed that patients who fell did not differ significantly from the general population of hospital inpatients 50 and older in regard to age, sex, particular hospital unit, or use of tricyclic antidepressants and neuroleptics.
Observations of Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3 above 7 keV from OSO-7.

The UCSD cosmic X-ray telescope onboard the OSO-7 satellite scanned Cygnus X-1 and X-3 in the 7 to 250 keV range during December 17–24, 1971. These observations are of interest for several reasons. First, the Cyg X-1 data below 20 keV confirm the results of Tananbaum et al.1, who report no eclipse in the 2–20 keV range with a period between 2 and 6.2 d. Second, synchrotron emission and inverse Compton scattering models for Cyg X-1 have been proposed respectively by Dolan2 and Jackson3, predicting variability at the 5.6 d binary period that should be seen only at energies above 20 keV. For Cyg X-3, the data are at slightly higher energies than those of Parsignault et al.4 and Canizares et al.5 who have reported a 4.8 h cyclic variation at X-ray energies. Our data may add information on the energy dependence of this effect. We also present spectra which, when combined with other observations, may indicate long term changes in the sources.
Drive-noise-tolerant broadband silicon electro-optic switch

We report a broadband digital electro-optical switch, based upon a multi-stage Mach-Zehnder lattice design in silicon-on-insulator. A digital switching response is demonstrated, engineered through apodization of the coupling coefficients between stages. The digital switching behavior results in crosstalk lower than −15 dB for drive-voltage noise levels in excess of 300 mVpp, which exceeds the noise tolerance of a conventional single-stage Mach-Zehnder switch by more than six-fold. In addition, the digital design enables a larger maximum ‘on’-state extinction (below −26 dB) and lower ‘on’-state free-carrier-induced insertion loss (less than 0.45 dB) than that of the single-stage switch. The noise-tolerant, low-crosstalk switch can thus play a key role within CMOS-integrated reconfigurable optical networks operating under noisy on-chip conditions.
The Ethnic/Minority Focus Unit as a Training Site in Transcultural Psychiatry

The ethnic/minority psychiatric inpatient units (i.e., focus units) at the University of California, San Francisco, train residents in transcultural psychiatry. This article describes the history, goals, and educational program that comprise this unique training experience. Two cases from the Asian Focus Unit illustrate how residents learn trans-cultural psychiatry during interactions with ethnic Asian patients and staff. Educational perspectives and current program evaluation are discussed.
The reproducibility of urodynamic findings in healthy female volunteers: results of repeated studies in the same setting and after short-term follow-up.

Aim To assess the immediate (same testing period) and short-term (within 6 months) repeatability of urodynamic (UD) testing in asymptomatic healthy female volunteers. Materials and Methods Twenty asymptomatic women with a mean age of 41.8 years (30–55) agreed to undergo a UD assessment which consisted of noninvasive uroflowmetry, post-void residual (PVR) measurement, medium-fill cystometry, and pressure flow study with perineal surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes. The UDS evaluation was repeated immediately without removing the catheters (a two-fill and void study). Sixteen women returned for an identical UD assessment 1–5 months later. Immediate and short-term repeatability of UD parameters was assessed by calculating the coefficient of repeatability (COR). Results The repeatability of certain parameters of immediate UD testing could not be calculated since there was an apparent influence of the first test on the second (i.e., an apparent accommodation noted in bladder filling volumes). Other immediate UD values (maximum flow, detrusor pressure at maximum flow, voided volume) had high COR values, as did all UD values on short-term testing, indicating relatively poor repeatability. Picking the ‘best’ pressure flow value (highest flow rate with accompanying detrusor pressure) did not consistently improve the COR values. Conclusions The lack of repeatability of UD studies likely stems from a combination of the true physiological fluctuations in bladder function and the inherent relative insensitivity of our instruments in conducting these testing. Knowledge of the limitations of current technology is essential in allowing us to better utilize these studies in evaluating our patients and further improving diagnostic strategies. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Entity-life modeling and structured analysis in real-time software design—a comparison

While structure analysis is sometimes used as a first step towards a real-time software design with concurrent tasks, a more appropriate task structure can often be based directly on concurrent patterns in the problem environment.
Metabolic network sensitivity analysis

Abstract A linear sensitivity analysis of metabolic regulation in nonsteady states is described. This treatment considers the effects of enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions and spontaneous rapid equilibria. Sensitivity coefficients summarizing the influence of metabolite concentrations on reaction rates and pathway net flux are defined, as are sensitivity coefficients summarizing the effects of enzymes on metabolite concentrations and net flux. The sensitivity analysis is implemented in an easily used set of computer programs. A four-enzyme test model was shown to be resistant to intuitive interpretation. Sensitivity analysis showed a shift of control from the end of the enzymic sequence to the beginning of the sequence with changing metabolic state. The homeostatic behavior of the test system was shown to depend on the nonenzymatic reactions as well as on the enzymes. Under certain conditions metabolic regulation is shared so intimately among enzymes and spontaneous reactions that separation of their effects is impossible.
Car Phone Usability: A Human Factors Laboratory Test

This paper describes an experiment that examined the effect of car phone design on simulated driving and dialing performance. The results were used to help develop an easy to use car phone interface and to provide task times as input for a human performance model.
On the coupling between MS antennas

The mutual coupling between antennas in an array is discussed. The authors present a brief history of this problem, clarify a few definitions, and unify the various analysis techniques using a scattering matrix formulation. An analysis of the structure of the scattering matrix produces an elegant series of terms. First, the coupling is ignored; second, the N-port network is used to model the mutual coupling; and third, if the antenna is a minimum scattering antenna, multiple reflections can be accommodated and incorporated into the analysis of mutual coupling. Results illustrating the major points and the advantages of the scalar spherical mode theory over the induced EMF approach are also presented. >
Optimizing Polymeric Nanoparticle Core Designs for Gene Delivery

Polymeric nanoparticles offer extraordinary promise as gene delivery vehicles, and recent advances in their designs have allowed for targeted deliveries with multi-stage releases of payloads. Despite these advances, delivery efficiency can still be improved. Namely, the core of a multilayered particle may be designed in such a way as to facilitate unloading once within the cell, with minimized electrostatic binding and waste of genes following endocytotic burst. Through creating a core particle that is semi-stable, further layers may functionally stabilize the polymeric complex until intracellular delivery is achieved, at which point the semistable configuration may promote payload release.
The SiGeSn Approach Towards Si-Based Lasers

Si-based lasers have long been sought because they serve as light sources for monolithic integration of Si electronics with photonic components on the same Si or silicon-on-insulator (SOI). Unfortunately, Si has not been a material of choice for luminescence applications owing to its indirect bandgap. The material system composed of group-IV elements (Si, Ge, Sn) and their alloys is an excellent new technology that holds the promise to achieve the Si-based lasers. This talk presents design and simulation results on Si-based lasers with either band-to-band or intersubband approach within the group-IV system.
Cyborg beetles: The remote radio control of insect flight

Recently, we demonstrated the remote control of insects in free flight via an implantable radio-equipped miniature neural stimulating system. This paper summarizes these results. The pronotum mounted system consisted of neural stimulators, muscular stimulators, a radio transceiver-equipped microcontroller and a microbattery. Flight initiation, cessation and elevation control were accomplished through neural stimulus of the brain which elicited, suppressed or modulated wing oscillation. Turns were triggered through the direct muscular stimulus of either of the basalar muscles. We characterized the response times, success rates, and free-flight trajectories elicited by our neural control systems in remotely-controlled beetles. We believe this type of technology will open the door to in-flight perturbation and recording of insect flight responses.
One-dimensional stability of parallel shock layers in isentropic magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract Extending investigations of Barker, Humpherys, Lafitte, Rudd, and Zumbrun for compressible gas dynamics and Freistuhler and Trakhinin for compressible magnetohydrodynamics, we study by a combination of asymptotic ODE estimates and numerical Evans function computations the one-dimensional stability of parallel isentropic magnetohydrodynamic shock layers over the full range of physical parameters (shock amplitude, strength of imposed magnetic field, viscosity, magnetic permeability, and electrical resistivity) for a γ-law gas with γ ∈ [ 1 , 3 ] . Other γ-values may be treated similarly, but were not checked numerically. Depending on magnetic field strength, these shocks may be of fast Lax, intermediate (overcompressive), or slow Lax type; however, the shock layer is independent of magnetic field, consisting of a purely gas-dynamical profile. In each case, our results indicate stability. Interesting features of the analysis are the need to renormalize the Evans function in order to pass continuously across parameter values where the shock changes type or toward the large-amplitude limit at frequency λ = 0 and the systematic use of winding number computations on Riemann surfaces.
The relationship between performance appraisal criterion specificity and statistical evidence of discrimination

Plaintiffs' expert witnesses in EEO cases involving performance appraisals often claim that adverse impact is a result of the type of rating format used. Their theory is that more specific rating criteria will lead to lessened adverse impact. We tested that theory by comparing data from a simple category-based rating system against data from a standards-based Work Planning and Review appraisal system with over 248,000 performance appraisals of state employees. Using logistic regression and statistical definitions of prima facie discrimination, we found no support for the hypothesis that adverse impact is materially affected by criterion specificity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disjunctive Transition Relation Decomposition for Efficient Reachability Analysis

The applicability of disjunctive Transition Relation decompositions in the context of symbolic model checking is researched. An algorithm that generates such decompositions is proposed and evaluated on the VIS benchmarks. The obtained decompositions are well-balanced and the algorithm compares well with IWLS'95.
Telomere DNA Content Predicts Breast Cancer–Free Survival Interval

Background: Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that protect chromosome ends from degradation and recombination. Critically shortened telomeres generate genomic instability. It has been postulated that the extent of telomere DNA loss is related to the degree of genomic instability within a tumor and therefore may presage clinical outcome. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the hypothesis that telomere DNA content (TC) in breast tumor tissues predicts breast cancer–free survival interval. Materials and Methods: Slot blot titration assay was used to quantitate TC in 530 archival breast tumor tissues in a population-based cohort. The relationships between TC, 12 risk factors for breast cancer adverse events (i.e., death due to breast cancer, breast cancer recurrence, or development of a new primary breast tumor), and breast cancer–free survival interval were evaluated by Fisher9s exact test, log-rank analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results: TC was independent of each of the 12 risk factors. Ethnicity, tumor-node-metastasis stage, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and p53 status, chemotherapy sequence, adjuvant therapy, and TC each conferred significant relative hazards. The best overall multivariate Cox proportional hazards model included TC, p53 status, tumor-node-metastasis stage, and estrogen receptor status as independent predictors of breast cancer–free survival interval ( P 200% of standard), conferred an adjusted relative hazard of 2.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-7.15; P = 0.022) for breast cancer–related adverse events. Conclusions: TC in breast cancer tissue is an independent predictor in this group of breast cancer–free survival interval.
Resampling approaches for common intraclass correlation coefficients

In this paper, we present several resampling methods for interval estimation for the common intraclass correlation coefficients. Comparisons are made on the coverage probabilities and average lengths with confidence intervals estimated by using the generalized pivots. Most of the methods proposed in this article produce confidence intervals with better probabilities and shorter average lengths than that produced by using generalized pivots.
Text declamation as a determinant of melodic form in the Old Roman eighth-mode tracts *

This essay presents a close examination of the Gregorian eighth-mode tracts in Old Roman transmission. Its main objective will be to show that the apparent diversity of the genre as a whole is due largely to conditioned variation, and that within subsets characterised by identical textual conditions, melodic shape is uniform, or thrifty, to a degree that is as remarkable as it is unexpected. Particular attention will be paid to the regular and, in some cases, predictable ways in which the accentuation, phrasing and syntax of the text determine melodic form. The essay will take up the subject of text expression in its classic formulation by Dominicus Johner and show how he was prevented from arriving at a satisfactory result by the very terms in which he framed the question. Finally and incidentally, some comparative observations will be made about the counterparts of the Old Roman tracts in Frankish transmission (i.e. Gregorian chant in the narrow sense) with a view to showing the aesthetic superiority of the Old Roman versions in certain respects.
Specificity of the intrauterine test for progesterone.

In an earlier paper (Hooker and Forbes, 1947) a bioassay that detects 0.0002 μg of progesterone was described. The sensitivity of the test readily permits the measurement of levels of this hormone in blood (Hooker and Forbes, 1947, 1949) and other body fluids, and offers promise of being useful in investigating several aspects of the metabolism of progesterone. To be of more than seriously limited value, however, an assay must be more or less specific, irrespective of its sensitivity. It has already been reported (Hooker and Forbes, 1947) that estrone, α-estradiol, desoxycorticosterone acetate, and testosterone failed to elicit the reaction used as a test for progesterone. The specificity of the test has been examined further by administering several additional substances. All of the substances tested are listed in Table 1. Included are (1) compounds reported to duplicate the action of progesterone in other tests, (2) compounds considered to be metabolites or possible precursors of progesterone,
Lessons from the front line: two key ways in which the internet has changed marketing forever

Ten years after the first banner ad was served, we can reflect on how dramatically the Internet actually changed the way we conduct business. We highlight two areas in which there has been change that provides both challenges and opportunities to firms and researchers alike. First, we see the rise of permission-based marketing as a great opportunity to increase the effectiveness of business-to-consumer communication. Second, we see auctions for the masses as a unique opportunity to learn more about the consumer's processing of price information. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indomethacin Lowers Urinary Calcium Excretion in Normal Volunteers and Normocalciuric Stone-Formers

Indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, has been shown to alter calcium metabolism in patients with metastatic carcinoma. This study was designed to determine the effects of indomethacin on urinary calcium excretion in 20 normal volunteers and 8 patients with urolithiasis.
The 18-kD protein that binds to the chloroplast DNA replicative origin is an iron-sulfur protein related to a subunit of NADH dehydrogenase.

From a high-salt extract of the purified thylakoid membrane, an 18-kD protein was detected. This protein was translated by the chloroplast ribosomes and could form a stable DNA-protein complex with a cloned chloroplast DNA replicative origin [Nie, Z.Q., Chang, D.Y., and Wu, M. (1987) Mol. Gen. Genet. 209, 265-269]. In this paper, the 18-kD protein is linked to frxB, a chloroplast-encoded, ferredoxin-type, iron-sulfur protein, by N-terminal microsequencing of the purified protein and computer analysis. The identification is further supported empirically by the fact that the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of the protein indicate the presence of iron-sulfur clusters. A polyclonal antibody raised against a synthetic pentadecameric peptide with amino acid sequence corresponds to the highly conserved region of the frxB protein and reacts strongly and specifically with the 18-kD protein band in protein gel blot analyses. The 18-kD iron-sulfur protein is found to be related to a subunit of the respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase by its cross-reaction with a polyclonal antibody raised against highly purified NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, a key enzyme of the respiratory chain. These data are consistent with chlororespiration, and, thus, possible implication of chlororespiration in regulating the initiation of chloroplast DNA replication is discussed.
Delay distributions for prioritized traffic using various MAC layer protocols

In many space communication scenarios high priority space traffic is received by a ground antenna and retransmitted via a ground link to a ground asset. 1 2 In most instances this ground link supports multiple communication streams concurrently, and needs to multiplex the space traffic with these streams using a certain MAC layer protocol. By design, such MAC layer protocols will add a certain random delay to the communicated packets, which will depend among other things on the transmitted traffic volume, number of concurrent communication streams and the bandwidth of the communication link. Investigating the distribution of these MAC layer protocol delays is critical in determining the distributions of the end-to-end packet transmission delays. The distributions of these end-to-end packet transmission delays are needed in determining if the end-to-end Quality of Service required for the transmitted traffics will be satisfied. The results in this paper are as follow. We first present multiple MAC layer protocols that may be utilized. We investigate the throughput of these protocols under the assumption that the low priority level traffic follows a Poisson process, and the high priority level traffic has a much lower volume than the low priority level traffic, and it is periodic. We follow by relaxing some of the assumptions and constraints and investigate the impact on our analysis.
Conservation Threats Due to Human-Caused Increases in Fire Frequency in Mediterranean-Climate Ecosystems

Periodic wildfire is an important natural process in Mediterranean-climate ecosystems, but increasing fire recurrence threatens the fragile ecology of these regions. Because most fires are human-caused, we investigated how human population patterns affect fire frequency. Prior research in California suggests the relationship between population density and fire frequency is not linear. There are few human ignitions in areas with low population density, so fire frequency is low. As population density increases, human ignitions and fire frequency also increase, but beyond a density threshold, the relationship becomes negative as fuels become sparser and fire suppression resources are concentrated. We tested whether this hypothesis also applies to the other Mediterranean-climate ecosystems of the world. We used global satellite databases of population, fire activity, and land cover to evaluate the spatial relationship between humans and fire in the world's five Mediterranean-climate ecosystems. Both the mean and median population densities were consistently and substantially higher in areas with than without fire, but fire again peaked at intermediate population densities, which suggests that the spatial relationship is complex and nonlinear. Some land-cover types burned more frequently than expected, but no systematic differences were observed across the five regions. The consistent association between higher population densities and fire suggests that regardless of differences between land-cover types, natural fire regimes, or overall population, the presence of people in Mediterranean-climate regions strongly affects the frequency of fires; thus, population growth in areas now sparsely settled presents a conservation concern. Considering the sensitivity of plant species to repeated burning and the global conservation significance of Mediterranean-climate ecosystems, conservation planning needs to consider the human influence on fire frequency. Fine-scale spatial analysis of relationships between people and fire may help identify areas where increases in fire frequency will threaten ecologically valuable areas.
Regulatory change: a pathway to eliminating seclusion and restraint or "regulatory scotoma"?

Historical and current experience indicates that regulatory changes in seclusion and restraint practice are often spurred by patient abuse but can ultimately enhance protection for consumers, prevent use of seclusion and restraint, and help transform care so it becomes recovery oriented. Reports of deaths related to restraint and seclusion fueled recent national regulatory changes and a federal agenda to eliminate their use. Some states, many facilities, and the federal initiative have focused on seclusion and restraint prevention and alternatives and have made important strides in reducing and eliminating these practices. However, new national regulations lessen previous oversight requirements, heighten risk, and threaten gains in reducing and eliminating such practices. Courageous, knowledgeable leadership is needed to challenge these minimum-practice thresholds and prevent seclusion and restraint “regulatory scotoma.” (Psychiatric Services 59:194–196, 2008)
An environmental oestrogen disrupts fish population dynamics through direct and transgenerational effects on survival and fecundity

Summary 1. Increased need for water and projected declines in precipitation due to climate change could leave waterways increasingly dominated by wastewater effluent. Understanding how components of wastewater influence fish populations is necessary for effective conservation and management. Despite research demonstrating effects of oestrogens, such as 17a-ethynylestradiol (EE2), on fish physiology and population failure, the generality of population responses is uncertain and the underlying mechanisms affecting population declines are unknown. EE2 is the steroid oestrogen in human contraceptive pills and has been measured up to 11 ng L 1 in the environment. 2. We identify disrupted population dynamics due to direct and transgenerational effects on survival and fecundity. We conducted a year-long study on three generations of fathead minnows Pimephales promelas Rafinesque in aquatic mesocosms and laboratory aquaria. We added environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2 daily using a static renewal, which approximates a pulsed exposure that fish experience in natural systems. 3. EE2 (3 2n g L 1 ) reduced F0 male survival to 17% (48% lower than controls) and juvenile production by 40% compared to controls. F1 fish continuously exposed to EE2 failed to reproduce, and reproduction of the F1 transferred to clean water was 70–99% less than controls. 4. F2 larval survival, exposed only as germ cells in their parents, was reduced by 51–97% compared to controls. The indirect effect on F2 survival suggests the possibility of transgenerational effects of EE2. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that fish populations exposed to environmentally relevant 17a-ethynylestradiol (EE2) concentrations may not recover from exposure. Management of short-lived highly fecund fishes should be prioritized to protect fish from the embryo through gonadal differentiation. Reducing effluent will not be possible in many situations; hence, conservation of breeding and rearing habitat in unpolluted tributaries or reaches is needed. Additionally, resource managers could enhance habitat connectivity in rivers to facilitate immigration. Finally, investment in advanced wastewater processing technology should improve removal of bioactive chemicals such as EE2. Our results provide a baseline for regulatory agencies to consider when assessing the ecological effects of environmental oestrogens, and our approach to evaluating population-level effects could be widely applied to other contaminants.
Deletion of the thymidine kinase gene induces complete attenuation of the Georgia isolate of African swine fever virus

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the etiological agent of a contagious and often lethal viral disease of domestic pigs. There are no vaccines to control Africa swine fever (ASF). Experimental vaccines have been developed using genetically modified live attenuated ASFVs obtained by specifically deleting virus genes involved in virulence, including the thymidine kinase (TK) gene. TK has been shown to be involved in the virulence of several viruses, including ASFV. Here we report the construction of a recombinant virus (ASFV-G/V-ΔTK) obtained by deleting the TK gene in a virulent strain of ASFV Georgia adapted to replicate in Vero cells (ASFV-G/VP30). ASFV-G/P-ΔTK demonstrated decreased replication both in primary swine macrophage cell cultures and in Vero cells compared with ASFV-G/VP30. In vivo, intramuscular administration of up to 10(6) TCID50 of ASFV-G/V-ΔTK does not result in ASF disease. However, these animals are not protected when challenged with the virulent parental Georgia strain.