cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Conversation with Street Daddy: Pulling Back the Curtain on 20 Years of Ethnography

From 1989 to 1995 my colleague Richard Wright and I studied hundreds and hundreds of active offenders. When I say “studied” I mean interviewed, followed, observed, created experimental conditions, re-interviewed, cross-validated results, obsessed about ethics, worried about their safety and ours, rode around with them in cars, read and reread transcribed interviews and most provocatively went on “walk-abouts” with them past the sites of their most recent crimes while they were “miked up.”
Backbone-Backbone H-Bonds Make Context-Dependent Contributions to Protein Folding Kinetics and Thermodynamics: Lessons from Amide-to-Ester Mutations.

Abstract The contribution of backbone‐backbone hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) to protein folding energetics has been controversial. This is due, at least in part, to the inability to perturb backbone‐backbone H‐bonds by traditional methods of protein mutagenesis. Recently, however, protein backbone mutagenesis has become possible with the development of chemical and biological methods to replace individual amides in the protein backbone with esters. Here, we review the use of amide‐to‐ester mutation as a tool to evaluate the contribution of backbone‐backbone H‐bonds to protein folding kinetics and thermodynamics.
p21rasGAP association with Fyn, Lyn, and Yes in thrombin-activated platelets.

Abstract Activation of platelets by thrombin and other physiological agonists leads to a dramatic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple cellular proteins (Ferrell, J. E., and Martin, G. S. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8, 3606-3610; Golden, A., and Brugge, J. S. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 901-905; Nakamura, S., and Yamamura, H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 7089-7091). To date, none of the tyrosine kinases that are involved in platelet activation, nor the substrates that are phosphorylated in response to agonists, have been identified. A "kinase trapping" strategy, designed to take advantage of the stability of known tyrosine kinase-substrate interactions, was employed to address both issues. p21rasGAP antibodies were used to examine the phosphorylated state of GAP in agonist-treated platelets and to isolate potential GAP-kinase complexes. We show that GAP and two proteins of 59 and 68 kDa are phosphorylated on tyrosine after thrombin stimulation and that three Src-related protein tyrosine kinases, Fyn, Lyn and Yes, are associated with GAP in complexes, detectable only after agonist stimulation. The thrombin-dependent detection of these kinases in GAP immunoprecipitates suggests that thrombin may either induce the formation of these complexes or activate kinases that are associated with GAP prior to, or following, agonist stimulation. This approach of "trapping" kinases bound to their substrates will be useful in identifying non-receptor tyrosine kinases involved in signaling pathways. Furthermore, although GAP phosphorylation has been previously implicated in growth factor signaling pathways, this is the first example of its involvement downstream from a G-protein-coupled receptor.
Band gap tuning of armchair silicene nanoribbons using periodic hexagonal holes

The popularity of graphene owing to its unique and exotic properties has triggered a great deal of interest in other two-dimensional nanomaterials. Among them silicene shows considerable promise for electronic devices with a carrier mobility comparable to graphene, flexible buckled structure, and expected compatibility with silicon electronics. Using first-principle calculations based on density functional theory, the electronic properties of armchair silicene nanoribbons perforated with periodic nanoholes (ASiNRPNHs) are investigated. Two different configurations of mono-hydrogenated (:H) and di-hydrogenated (:2H) silicene edges are considered. Pristine armchair silicene nanoribbons (ASiNRs) can be categorized into three branches with width W = 3P − 1, 3P, and 3P + 1, P is an integer. The order of their energy gaps change from “EG (3P − 1) < EG (3P) < EG (3P + 1)” for W-ASiNRs:H to “EG (3P + 1) < EG (3P − 1) < EG (3P)” for W-ASiNRs:2H. We found the band gaps of W-ASiNRs:H and (W + 2)-ASiNRs:2H are slight...
Sebald in Starbucks

Marfa, Texas. Dry grasslands, desert and mountains. The western corner of Texas wedged between Mexico and New Mexico, where the hot emptiness of the Chihuahuan Desert obliterates the border, keeping the Border Patrol wired and alert. The railroad runs through it; the railroad put it on the map; the railroad is still loading freight from the California coast to the Gulf of Mexico, almost 800 miles across Texas. The trains run through all day and all night, hooting, calling, sometimes a hundred cars long, moving across the high desert. At night the great eyes of the engine lights move east, move west, through the darkness. Under black skies, or moonlit ones. Marfa is a funny sounding name. Like a child's lisp, or a foreigner who can't get that troublesome English th sound. Or like a brand name cobbled together out of two people's names?Marfa Delivery, or Marfa Soap, or Marfa Manufacturing from Marv and Fanny, or Martinez and Farrell. As it happens, this little whistle stop, founded to accommodate the railroad in 1881, was named by a Russian, a woman, a frontier wife brought to the wide views of the Chihuahuan Desert and the long view of the iron rails cutting through it because her husband was a railroad overseer. So, one important thing to know is that in Russian that Cyrillic /-sound is perfectly accept able. A literate woman, reading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, provided a name for the place from her reading, from the Karamazov family servant, whom nobody remembers, but to whom Dostoevsky gave the name Marfa. And if you think about it, Fyodor has the same problem of the funny lisp. What seizes the imagination here is the woman reading a recently published novel, something just out from a contemporary writer from home. She was on the other side of the world from Fyodor and his Karamazovs, the dysfunctional relationships, unholy and holy desires, the exploding sentences. Possibly for her it was a link to home, possibly it was a way to while away the long hot days in the desert, a way to defeat the interminable space and the bright eye and lonely hooting of the trains. Did she know that she was read ing Russian Literature? Dostoevsky: Isaiah Berlin's great example
Feasibility, efficacy, and social validity of home-based storybook reading intervention for children with language impairment.

Purpose This study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy, and social validity of a parent-implemented intervention for promoting print knowledge in preschoolers with language impairment. Method This ...
Current controlled negative resistance in n-type gallium arsenide

A current controlled negative differential resistance effect that can produce relaxation-type oscillations at frequencies in the 104- to 105-Hz range has been observed in n-type gallium arsenide.
Sequence of Phase Formation in Chemically Derived Ferroelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 Thin Films

A qualitative model for the sequence of phase transforma-tions leading to perovskite phase formation in sol–gel-derived PZT thin films is presented. It is suggested that for sol–gel-derived Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3 (x = 0.4) thin films, prepared using the molecularly modified alkoxide precursors (MMAP) approach, complete (or partial) conversion of the originally amorphous film into a “pyrochlore” phase, although possible, may not be necessary. Differences between the sequence of phase formation encountered in the tradi-tional (oxide-mix) synthesis and that in chemically derived ceramics are discussed. The sequence of phase formation in these thin films also appears to be intertwined with the texture development in that a (111) PZT texture develop-ment appears to be controlled by nucleation of the perovs-kite phase, assisted by a solid-phase epitaxial effect, and the (100)/(001) texture appears to be growth controlled.x
Electrolyte-Induced Aggregation of Acrylic Latex. 1. Dilute Particle Concentrations

We measure the aggregation kinetics of model, aqueous polymer latices of varying particle size as a function of added NaCl using dynamic light scattering to evaluate the available theoretical model...
Human fibroblast attachment on fibrous parylene-C thin-film substrates

Abstract Although the polymeric form of parylene-C is used in many medical devices, the mechanistic nature of cellular attachment to polymeric parylene-C is not clear. We examined the effects of (i) substrate morphology, (ii) surface wettability and (iii) presence of serum proteins on fibroblast attachment. A physicochemical vapor deposition technique was implemented to deposit flat parylene-C substrates as well as fibrous substrates of three different morphologies: slanted columnar, chevronic and chiral. Flat parylene-C surfaces were moderately hydrophobic while fibrous substrates were superhydrophobic. Pretreatment with oxygen plasma changed the substrate surfaces from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic. The attachment efficiency of human fibroblast cells to the flat and three fibrous thin-film parylene-C substrates was investigated. Fibroblast attachment was better on fibrous substrates than on flat substrates, and oxygen plasma pretreatment facilitated fibroblast attachment on all four morphologies. Serum proteins also facilitated cell attachment on all substrates. The combination of oxygen plasma pre-treatment and serum proteins increased fibroblast adhesion in an additive manner on flat, but not on fibrous parylene-C substrates. The morphology of cell–substrate interactions differed between fibrous and flat parylene-C substrates.
COMPUTATIONALLY EFFICIENT TECHNIQUE FOR THE SOLUTION OF TIMOSHENKO BEAM AND MINDLIN-REISSNER PLATE PROBLEMS USING THE METHOD OF FINITE SPHERES

In this paper we discuss the application of the method of finite spheres (MFS) to the solution of shear deformable beam and plate problems. A computationally efficient technique is presented in which the integration points and weights are generated using a genetic algorithm and stored in a lookup table using normalized coordinates much like a table of Gauss integration points and weights. This technique offers a significant reduction of computational time while maintaining accuracy.
Isolation of B lymphocytes for HLA-DR typing using monoclonal antibodies

Isolating sufficient B cells for DR typing is often a problem, particularly in patients with low lymphocyte and/or B cell counts. This paper describes a simple method for preparing highly purified B cells using monoclonal antibodies and complement to kill the majority of non-B cells. Mononuclear cells are isolated by standard Ficoll-Hypaque techniques and incubated at 0 degrees C for 10 min with the following monoclonal antibodies: OKT3 (pan T cell), OKT11 (pan T and null cell), and Leu11b (NK cell). Rabbit complement is added and the mixture is incubated at 37 degrees C for 20 min. Dead cells are then removed by Percoll gradient centrifugation. This procedure results in cell preparations containing 90.1 +/- 1.3% B cells as measured by two-colow immunofluorescence with an Epics C flow cytometer. A yield of 52% can routinely be obtained. In contrast, nylon wool adherence results in preparations with only 44 +/- 9.1% B cells with a yield of 31%. B cells prepared by the monoclonal antibody procedure always show stronger and clearer reactions on DR typing trays. These results are consistent with the flow cytometric analyses of the B cell preparations. In summary, this procedure has the following advantages: increased accuracy of DR typing, decreased sample size (only 1.0 X 10(7) mononuclear cells are required), reduced time of cell preparation, and reduction in the number of repeat typings necessitated by poor yields and/or results.
Antimicrobial properties of silver-doped hydroxyapatite nano-powders and thin films

Silver-doped hydroxyapatite nanopowders were prepared using a solution based sol-gel method and thoroughly characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Antibacterial tests showed silver-doped HAP powders prevented the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Silver-doped HAP powders were pressed into pellets and on these pellets a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique was employed to grow amorphous and crystalline thin films on sapphire substrates. Crystalline films had silver nano-particles present within the HAP matrix. Film stability tests showed crystalline films to be far more stable in prolonged solution submersion than their amorphous counterparts.
A Summary of Meteorological Parameters During Space Shuttle Pad Exposure Periods

During the 113 missions of the Space Transportation System (STS), the Space Shuffle fleet has been exposed to the elements on the launch pad for a total of 4195 days. The Natural Environments Branch at Marshall Space Flight Center archives atmospheric environments to which the Space Shuttle vehicles are exposed. This paper provides a summary of the historical record of the meteorological conditions encountered by the Space Shuttle fleet during the pad exposure period. Sources of the surface parameters, including temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, sea level pressure and precipitation are presented. Data is provided from the first launch of the STS in 1981 through the launch of STS-107 in 2003.
BLT-D (clarithromycin [Biaxin], low-dose thalidomide, and dexamethasone) for the treatment of myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Multiple myeloma remains incurable. Despite the pursuit of various chemotherapeutic approaches, little improvement in outcome has been made in the last 30 years. Thalidomide, dexamethasone, and clarithromycin are oral, nonmyelosuppressive agents, each with reported single agent activity against myeloma. We evaluated a regimen of clarithromycin (Biaxin), low-dose thalidomide and dexamethasone (BLT-D) in patients with previously untreated or treated multiple myeloma or Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Patients were initially given clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, thalidomide 50-200 mg daily, and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly until disease progression. Minimum response was defined as >50% reduction in monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chain levels in serum or urine. Response, toxicity, and survival were determined on an evaluable and/or intent-to-treat basis. Of the 50 patients available for analysis, 92% remain alive and 64% remain on treatment with a median and mean duration of treatment of 7 and 8 months,...
Anger‐Related Traits and Response to Interpersonal Conflict Among New York City Traffic Agents1

This study evaluates the psychosocial correlates of anger-related traits. Participants include New York City traffic enforcement agents (TEAs), who issue summonses for vehicular and parking violations and are frequently confronted by angry motorists. This sample of TEAs is 53% African American and 57% female. Participants completed surveys at 2 points, 4 months apart, which measured attitudinal, affective, and expressive components of hostility and anger, as well as dimensions of workplace psychosocial response. Results indicate that trait anger-in was positively associated with frequency of conflict, anger intensity, and burnout in cross-sectional analyses; and positively associated with frequency of conflict in prospective analyses. Trait anger was positively associated with an increase in burnout over a 4-month period. These findings provide support for the transactional model of hostility and health and have implications for worksite interventions promoting cardiovascular health.
Initial coping responses and psychosocial characteristics of children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

School-aged children with newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were studied longitudinally in order to document how they adjusted to the medical illness and to assess salient background factors. The extent of life stress and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders that predated the IDDM were within normative ranges, and there was no characteristic preexisting "diabetic personality." The initial strain of living with IDDM elicited two general modes of coping. The prototypical and subdued reaction (seen in 64% of the children) consisted of mild sadness, anxiety, feeling of friendlessness, and social withdrawal. The rest of the children (36%) exhibited reactions that met criteria for a psychiatric disorder; depressive syndromes were the most common presentations. Anamnestic factors and the parents' initial responses to their children's IDDM were unrelated to how the children themselves coped. However, psychiatrically diagnosable reactions were more likely among children whose parents were of low socioeconomic status and had marital distress. Coping with the diagnosis and the early impact of IDDM took no more than 7 to 9 months, no matter how severe the child's response was initially.
Complete on average Boolean satisfiability

Abstract We present in this paper a dynamic binary coding scheme α on CNF formulas ψ , and show that under a uniform distribution μ α on binary string α ( ψ ), SAT is complete on average, where μ α ( ψ ) is proportional to ∣ α ( ψ )∣ −2 2 −∣ α ( ψ )∣ . We then show that there is k 0 >2 such that for all k ⩾ k 0 , k SAT under μ α is complete on average.
Evaluation of Trapping Methods for Southwestern Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Using Synthetic Sex Pheromone

Field studies were conducted with the synthetic sex pheromone of southwestern corn borer (SWCB), Diatraea grandiosella (Dyar), to determine effect of type, height, and location of traps; pheromone concentration; and age of pheromone lure on number of captured SWCB males. Over a 4-night period, 13-, 19-, and 24-fold more males were captured in Heliothis Scentry traps than in Covered Funnel, Pherocon 1C, or Pherocon II traps, respectively. Male capture was not significantly different in traps ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 m in height or between traps placed at field border versus within the field. Field aging of pheromone-treated septa significantly influenced male capture. Attractiveness decreased as time of field exposure increased. Male capture increased as the concentration of synthetic pheromone increased. At least 1,000 μg of pheromone per septum was required for male capture to equal that of two virgin females.
Computational Approaches to Morphology and Syntax

1. Introduction and Preliminaries PART I COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO MORPHOLOGY 2. The Formal Characterization of Morphological Operations 3. The Relevance of Computational Issues for Morphological Theory 4. A Brief History of Computational Morphology 5. Machine Learning of Morphology PART II COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES TO SYNTAX 6. Finite-State Approaches to Syntax 7. Basic Context-Free Approaches to Syntax 8. Enriched Context-Free Approaches to Syntax 9. Context-Sensitive Approaches to Syntax References Index
Bronchiolitis: A clinical review

Abstract Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection primarily caused by respiratory syncytial virus, affecting children under 2 years of age with a peak prior to six months. The clinical picture results from an inflammatory process of the small bronchi and bronchioles. Infants present with tachypnea and wheezing often accompanied by respiratory distress and hyperinflation. Supportive care is essential, children respond slowly to hydration and careful observation. Respiratory distress requires hospitalization with treatment including oxygen and ventilator support as indicated.
Fingerprints of Agrobacterium Ti plasmids.

Abstract Many crown gall-inducing Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains have multiple plasmids, only one of which, the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid, is essential for oncogenicity. For comparison of Ti plasmids, single-plasmid-containing transconjugant or transformant derivatives were used as sources of pure Ti-plasmid DNA. Fingerprinting was undertaken using the restriction endonuclease Sma I because it produced a relatively simple cleavage pattern. Three groups of Ti plasmids are discernible based upon both their genetic characteristics and their Sma I fingerprints: (1) Octopine-type Ti plasmids, which confer oncogenicity and octopine utilization on the bacterium. Tumors incited produce octopine. This group of plasmids is highly conservative; fingerprints of all members were identical except for two minor variations. (2) Nopaline-type Ti plasmids, which confer oncogenicity and nopaline utilization on the bacterium. Tumors incited may or may not produce nopaline; these plasmids have fingerprints that suggest variable degrees of relationship, including one that appears unrelated to the rest (3) Null-type plasmids, which confer oncogenicity but neither utilization trait on the bacterium. Tumors incited by this class of strains produce neither octopine nor nopaline. Only one member of this group has been examined thus far. Fingerprints of plasmids from several nononcogenic strains examined bore no resemblance to fingerprints of any of the Ti plasmids.
13q14 deletions in CLL involve cooperating tumor suppressors

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common human leukemia. 13q14 deletions are most common chromosomal alterations in CLL. We previously reported that miR-15/16 is a target of 13q14 deletions and plays a tumor suppressor role by targeting BCL2. Because DLEU7 is located near miR-15/16 and is also positioned within a minimal deleted region, we investigated whether DLEU7 could also play a tumor suppressor role. Recent studies of transgenic mouse models demonstrated the importance of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in CLL. To examine the possible role of DLEU7 in CLL, we investigated the effect of DLEU7 expression on NF-κB and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activity. We found that DLEU7 functions as a potent NF-κB and NFAT inhibitor by physically interacting and inhibiting TACI and BCMA, members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family involved in B-CLL. In addition, DLEU7 expression in A549 lung cancer cells resulted in a decrease in S phase and increased apoptosis. The results suggest that loss of DLEU7 may cooperate with the loss of miR-15/16 in the pathogenesis of CLL.
The place of the personal: Exploring the affective domain through reflection in teacher preparation

Abstract Emotions and emotional states play an important role in learning to teach, encouraging teacher educators to consider the place of the affective domain in preservice teacher preparation. Preservice teacher reflection provides a means by which to constructively explore the affective domain in teacher preparation. This article draws from two qualitative studies on reflection and technology conducted at an American university to explore the affective domain in teacher preparation. Using the web-based data of online discussion posts and weblog entries, this article considers the affective issues addressed in preservice teacher reflection and the implications of those emotional concerns for teacher preparation.
Effect of elective surgical procedures on tissue protein synthesis.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine whether an early decrease in protein synthesis rates occurred in any tissues after abdominal surgery in postprandial rats. Leucine-specific radioactivity in mixed protein and on tRNA was determined after continuous infusion of L-[3H]leucine. Synthesis rates of mixed protein were significantly decreased in the gastrocnemius muscle, but not in the jejunum, liver, or heart, of rats 1–2 hr after splenectomy and ovariectomy or after combining the groups that had various types of abdominal surgery. These results suggest that a very early decrease in the protein synthesis rate of the gastrocnemius muscle occurs after laparotomy.
Inhibition of breast cancer cell growth and induction of cell death by 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)methane (DIM) and 5,5'-dibromoDIM.

Abstract 1,1-Bis(3′-indolyl)methane (DIM) and the 5,5′-dibromo ring substituted DIM (5,5′-diBrDIM) inhibited growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and IC 50 values were 10–20 and 1–5 μM, respectively, in both cell lines. DIM and 5,5′-diBrDIM did not induce p21 or p27 protein levels or alter expression of Sp1 or Sp3 proteins in either cell line. In contrast, 10 μM 5,5′-diBrDIM downregulated cyclin D1 protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells 12 and 24 h after treatment. DIM (20 μM) also decreased cyclin D1 in MCF-7 (24 h) and MDA-MB-231 (12 h), and the DIM/5,5′-diBrDIM-induced degradation of cyclin D1 was blocked by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Both DIM and 5,5′-diBrDIM induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells and this was accompanied by decreased Bcl-2, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c , and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential as determined by the red/green fluorescence of JC-1. DIM and 5,5′-diBrDIM induced extensive necrosis in MDA-MB-231 cells; however, this was accompanied by decreased mitochondrial membrane potential primarily in cells treated with 5,5′-diBrDIM but not DIM. Thus, DIM and 5,5′-diBrDIM induce cell death in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by overlapping and different pathways, and the ring-substituted DIM represents a novel class of uncharged mitochondrial poisons that inhibit breast cancer cell and tumor growth.
Representation and recognition of 3-D curved objects using complete 3-D range data

This paper proposes a method to describe and identify 3-D curved objects using a complete set of 3-D range data. Curved 3-D objects in general are difficult to represent and identify because they lack distinct local properties such as edges planes cylindrical surfaces etc. which are the basic building blocks used to represent objects when using intensity or 2-D range images. In this paper we propose to use principal axes to establish a reference for describing a 3-D object. A method of obtaining an inertia matrix from the complete 3-D range data is developed. Using this method an unique set of principal axes of an object with an arbitrary 3-D position and orientation is first obtained. On the principal axis coordinate the object is described by the normalized features describing the shape of the object such as a spine compactness section size section contraction and section orientation. As experiments several 3-D objects are described using the proposed method by features two scalars and three vectors. For the purpose of identification a similarity measure between the two objects are defined based on the descriptions of objects. As the proposed method is based on the global features of objects using sufficient information from 3-D range data it provides an unique description which is suggestive of the shape of an object as well as an accurate noise-insensitive identifying method. 1.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Microwave Emission and Plant Water Content: A Comparison between Field Measurements and Theory

Microwave radiation from a canopy cover depends primarily on the vegetation's thermal and dielectric properties; the latter are dependent on plant biometrical parameters and water content. Emission measurements carried out by means of ground-based X-and Ka-band radiometers have shown that crop coverage of soil can be detected through the spectral signatures of bare soil and vegetation. Moreover, measured brightness temperature and the radiative transfer theory for a scattering medium allow estimation of the scattering and absorption properties of the canopy. These parameters have been computed for corn and alfalfa using experimental data and a simple model in which anisotropic scattering is considered by means of transformed parameters w' and r'. We found that the single scattering albedo w' is always lower than 0.1, whereas the optical depth T' is very high. The latter has been correlated to plant water content by means of a logarithmic function.
Attachment of the chromosome to the cell poles: the strategy for the growth of bacteria in two and three dimensions.

Bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Lampropedia, and Sarcina develop in characteristic two-or three-dimensional groups of cells. We propose here a model of how bacteria may generate such groupings by an extension of an earlier model for rod-shaped bacteria. No other mechanism for forming two- or three-dimensional structures of groups of cells has been proposed. Our earlier model for division of rod-shaped bacteria into nearly equal-sized daughters assumed that the origin and terminus DNA were attached at a critical time to polar wall sites. While such binding was speculative 20 years ago, it has now been established that the DNA for the origin of replication, at least during some part of the cell cycle is located in the pole for several different bacteria. Evidence is also building showing that the terminus DNA region is sometimes located at a position in the cell that will develop into two new poles. Here, a new extension of the concept that polar sites bind specifically origin and terminus DNA of the chromosome is presented that can explain how division takes place in one and then in another dimension to form two-dimensional tablets of four cells or large planar arrays. A further possible extension to three dimensions to generate octets of cells is proposed.
Light scattering from laser induced pit ensembles on high power laser optics

Far-field light scattering characteristics from randomly arranged shallow Gaussian-like shaped laser induced pits, found on optics exposed to high energy laser pulses, is studied. Closed-form expressions for the far-field intensity distribution and scattered power are derived for individual pits and validated using numerical calculations of both Fourier optics and FDTD solutions to Maxwell’s equations. It is found that the scattered power is proportional to the square of the pit width and approximately also to the square of the pit depth, with the proportionality factor scaling with pit depth. As a result, the power scattered from shallow pitted optics is expected to be substantially lower than assuming complete scattering from the total visible footprint of the pits.
Persistence of Drug Trafficking Behaviors and Intentions among Urban African American Early Adolescents

Longitudinal data obtained 6 months apart from 132 urban African American adolescents, 9 through 15 years of age, were analyzed to assess the stability and predictability of behaviors, intentions, and perceptions regarding drug trafficking. Drug trafficking behaviors, intentions, and perceptions were relatively stable over time. Although rates of drug trafficking were low (7%o), about two-thirds of the youth involved at baseline were still involved 6 months later Males were more likely to be involved than females. Previous involvement was the best predictor for subsequent behavior and intention. Baseline intention was not predictive of subsequent behavior but was predictive of subsequent intention. Perceptions, particularly those regarding extrinsic rewards and response costs of drug trafficking, were predictive of subsequent behavior and intention. The youth appeared to differentiate between drug selling and drug delivering. These results represent the first longitudinal description of the natural histor...
Runx2 is required for early stages of endochondral bone formation but delays final stages of bone repair in Axin2-deficient mice

Runx2 and Axin2 regulate skeletal development. We recently determined that Axin2 and Runx2 molecularly interact in differentiating osteoblasts to regulate intramembranous bone formation, but the relationship between these factors in endochondral bone formation was unresolved. To address this, we examined the effects of Axin2 deficiency on the cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) phenotype of Runx2(+/-) mice, focusing on skeletal defects attributed to improper endochondral bone formation. Axin2 deficiency unexpectedly exacerbated calvarial components of the CCD phenotype in the Runx2(+/-) mice; the endocranial layer of the frontal suture, which develops by endochondral bone formation, failed to mineralize in Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) mice, resulting in a cartilaginous, fibrotic and larger fontanel than observed in Runx2(+/-) mice. Transcripts associated with cartilage development (e.g., Acan, miR140) were expressed at higher levels, whereas blood vessel morphogenesis transcripts (e.g., Slit2) were suppressed in Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) calvaria. Cartilage maturation was impaired, as primary chondrocytes from double mutant mice demonstrated delayed differentiation and produced less calcified matrix in vitro. The genetic dominance of Runx2 was also reflected during endochondral fracture repair, as both Runx2(+/-) and double mutant Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) mice had enlarged fracture calluses at early stages of healing. However, by the end stages of fracture healing, double mutant animals diverged from the Runx2(+/-) mice, showing smaller calluses and increased torsional strength indicative of more rapid end stage bone formation as seen in the Axin2(-/-) mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate a dominant role for Runx2 in chondrocyte maturation, but implicate Axin2 as an important modulator of the terminal stages of endochondral bone formation.
The capacity region of the totally asynchronous multiple-access channel

It is shown that the capacity region of the asynchronous multiple-access channel differs from that of the synchronous channel only by the lack of a convex hull operation.
Potentiating role of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) upon defensive rage behavior in the cat: Role of neurokinin NK1 receptors

Abstract Feline defensive rage is a form of aggression occurring in nature in response to a threatening condition and is elicited under laboratory conditions by electrical stimulation of the medial hypothalamus or midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG). Since it has recently been shown that cytokines can modulate neurotransmitter release, the present study was designed to determine the effects of administration of interleukin 2 (IL-2) into the PAG upon defensive rage elicited from the medial hypothalamus. Microinjections of relatively low doses of IL-2 into the dorsal PAG significantly facilitated defensive rage behavior elicited from the medial hypothalamus. The specificity of this phenomenon was supported by the following findings: (1) IL-2 induced effects were dose- and time-dependent, (2) the facilitative effects of IL-2 could be completely blocked by pre-treatment of the injection site with either anti-IL-2 or anti-IL-2 receptor antibody and (3) IL-2 administration into the PAG showed no effect upon another form of aggression, namely predatory attack, elicited from the lateral hypothalamus. The findings further demonstrated that the effects of IL-2 were mediated by an NK 1 receptor mechanism since pre-treatment of the PAG with an NK 1 receptor antagonist completely blocked the facilitating effects of IL-2. Immunocytochemical observations supported these findings by demonstrating an extensive pattern of labeling of IL-2Rα in the dorsal PAG. The present study thus demonstrates that IL-2 in the dorsal PAG potentiates defensive rage behavior and is mediated through an NK 1 receptor mechanism.
Adiabatic parameter dynamics of perturbed solitary waves

Abstract The soliton perturbation theory is used to study the solitons that are governed by the generalized Korteweg–de Vries equation in the presence of perturbation terms. The adiabatic parameter dynamics of the solitons in the presence of the perturbation terms are obtained.
TRAC-BF1/NEM Modeling and results of OECD/NEA BWR core transient benchmarks

Abstract TRAC-BF1/NEM is a coupled neutronics-thermal hydraulics code for BWR transient and accident analysis developed at the Penn State University. Research has been carried out at Penn State to further verify this coupled code by using the (OECD/NEA) 3-D BWR core transient benchmarks. These benchmarks provide an opportunity to compare TRAC-BF1/NEM predictions with the results of many other coupled codes as well as to establish a well-defined set of test problems for future TRAC-BF1/NEM modifications and code distributions. The paper gives a description of the developed neutronics and thermal-hydraulic models and presents a comparison and discussion of the obtained steady-state results as well as the transient results for the inlet sub-cooling transient.
Self-help and child abuse: Victims, victimizers, and the development of self-control

Study of child abusers reveals that many victimizers were once victims and that the behaviors underlying the perspectives of victims and victimizers are related. Three groups of abusing parents using directed self-help were studied at Parents Anonymous by participant observation methodology for two and-a-half years. Four of the 52 participating parents read and commented on a draft of the research. Their violence appeared to be an attempt to gain a sense of control or to deal with the frustration of not feeling in control. Suggestions are made for developing social services that enhance individuals' sense of control.
A comparison of student satisfaction and value of academic community between blended and online sections of a university-level educational foundations course

Abstract This pre-test/post-test study explores students' ( n = 262) sense of academic community, including their perspectives of the value of academic community, plus course satisfaction and perceived learning in nearly identical blended and online sections of an educational foundations course. Students in both delivery modes were generally satisfied with the course, had equally high perceived learning scores, but had neutral sense of community and value of connectedness scores. The findings in this study raise questions about whether the students would benefit from the infusion of time-intensive community-building strategies.
WheelLoc: Enabling continuous location service on mobile phone for outdoor scenarios

The proliferation of location-based services and applications calls for provisioning of location service as a first class system component that can return accurate location fix in short response time and is energy efficient. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and evaluation of WheelLoc - a continuous system location service for outdoor scenarios. Unlike previous localization efforts that try to directly obtain a point location fix, WheelLoc adopts an indirect approach: it seeks to capture a user mobility trace first and to obtain any point location by time- and speed-aware interpolation or extrapolation. WheelLoc avoids energy-expensive sensors completely and relies solely on commonly available cheap sensors such as accelerometer and magnetometer. With a set of novel techniques and the leverage of publicly available road maps and cell tower information, WheelLoc is able to meet those requirements of a first class component. Experimental results confirmed the effectiveness of WheelLoc. It can return a location estimate within 40ms with an accuracy about 40 meters, consumes only 240mW energy, and effectively strikes a better energy-accuracy tradeoff than GPS duty-cycling.
Evidence for ligand non-innocence in a formally ruthenium(I) hydride complex.

Formally zerovalent, dinitrogen-bridged ruthenium complex, {[N3Xyl]Ru}2(μ-η1:η1-N2) (1), where [N3Xyl] = 2,6-(XylN═CMe)2C5H3N, reacts with excess H2 to give the binuclear hydride species, {[N3]Ru(H)}2(μ-η1:η1-N2) (2) bearing a single hydrogen per ruthenium. Complex 2 is an unusual example of a structurally characterized paramagnetic transition metal hydride, and the first such example for ruthenium. Structural data and DFT calculations suggest unpaired electron density is strongly delocalized onto the non-innocent [N3] ligand, with a relatively small degree of the metalloradical character implied by the Ru(I) formal oxidation state, and that the [N3]−/Ru(II) formalism may be more informative. Consistent with an effective oxidation state greater than Ru(I), further reaction of 2 with excess H2 to give metal dihydride species ([N3]RuH2(L)) is not observed. The magnetic moment of 2 (3.50 μB) in solution is consistent with one unpaired electron per [N3]Ru moiety; however, 2 is diamagnetic in the solid due to ...
The characteristics of wind waves on lakes and protected bays

The results of investigations to determine the height and period of waves generated by wind blowing over lakes, reservoirs, or bays, protected from ocean swell, are given. Some information is presented on the variability of wave length and crest length as a function of fetch in the generating area. Recommendations are made for further investigations which are needed to adequately define the relationships between wave characteristics and wind velocity.
Efficacy of a Novel Device for Assessment of Autonomic Sensory Function in the Rat Bladder

Purpose: We developed and tested the efficacy of an implantable bladder device which, when combined with the Neurometer®, can be used to assess fiber specific afferent bladder sensation in the rat.Materials and Methods: We developed an implantable bladder device that applies selective nerve fiber stimuli (250 Hz for small myelinated Aδ fibers and 5 Hz for unmyelinated C fibers) to the bladder mucosa in the rat to determine bladder sensory perception threshold values. We performed 3 experiments in 55 female Sprague-Dawley rats to examine the effects of our device on voiding habits, assess the interobserver reliability of the sensory perception threshold and determine the effects of intravesical administration of resiniferatoxin (Sigma®) and lidocaine on the sensory perception threshold.Results: Sensory perception threshold values obtained by 2 blinded, independent observers were not different from each other (p = 0.41). Sensory perception threshold values obtained at the 2 stimulation frequencies remained ...
Physics of the Lindemann melting rule

We investigate the thermodynamics of melting for 74 distinct chemical elements including several actinides and rare earths. We find that the observed melting points are consistent with a linear relationship between the correlation entropy of the liquid and the Gruneisen constant of the solid, and that the Lindemann rule is well obeyed for the elements with simple structures and less well obeyed for the less symmetric more open structures. No special assumptions are required to explain the melting points of the rare earths or light actinides.
Flexibility in system design and implications for aerospace systems.

The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of flexibility as discussed in various fields of investigations, to extract its characteristic features, and to explore its implications in the case of aerospace system design. In order to discuss any subject matter clearly, it is necessary to begin with a clear set of definitions. Indeed much can be gained through careful and consistent definitions of terms alone. Flexibility however is a word rich with ambiguity. While it is being increasingly used in various fields, few attempts have been made to formally define, quantify, and propose ways for achieving flexibility. This paper proposes to fill in part of this gap by synthesizing a clear and consistent definition of flexibility. It will do so by reviewing the usage of the term in various fields of inquiries, and show that it is indeed possible to clearly and unambiguously characterize flexibility, and to disentangle it from closely related concepts.
GLAST: The Next-Generation High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy Mission

Abstract The Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) is a high energy (20–300 GeV) gamma-ray astronomy mission planned for launch in 2005. The overarching scientific theme of the mission is studying sites of particle acceleration in the Universe. Topics of interest include active galactic nuclei and their jets, extragalactic and galactic diffuse emissions, dark matter, supernova remnants, pulsars, and the unidentified high energy gamma-ray sources. The sensitivity is 2 × 10−9 photons cm−2 s−1 (>100 MeV) for a 2 year all-sky survey, which is a factor of >30 better than CGRO/EGRET. The GLAST program is currently in a high level of mission development activity.
Review of epidemic aminoglycoside resistance worldwide

Epidemic aminoglycoside resistance may be caused by the spread of a species with distinctive chromosomal genes (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa), or it may be due to the dissemination of plasmids or transposons between genera. Although strains of P. aeruginosa resistant to aminoglycosides because of impermeability may cause nosocomial outbreaks, most of the acute increases in aminoglycoside resistance are due to the spread of inactivating enzymes by plasmids. The index species for intergeneric outbreaks is usually Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the ANT(2") or AAC(3) gene; however, the distribution of resistance varies greatly by location and species. The AAC(6')-I gene is most common in Serratia marcescens and in East Asian isolates of other species, whereas the AAC(3) gene is common in Chile. In the United States, the ANT(2") and AAC(3) genes are particularly common among Enterobacteriaceae, except for Proteus and Providencia, which often carry the AAC(2') gene. The most common patterns of epidemic resistance lead to the inactivation of gentamicin and, less frequently, tobramycin, but only rarely affect amikacin.
Ultrastructural and acetylcholinesterase studies on the innervation of the ductus arteriosus, pulmonary trunk and aorta of the fetal lamb.

Ultrastructural and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) studies have revealed that the media of the fetal lamb ductus arteriosus, pulmonary trunk, and aorta are composed of alternate layers of concentrically arranged smooth muscle cells and connective tissue elements. The connective tissue layers composed mainly of collagen and elastica also contain blood vessels, leukocytes and mast cells and are looser than that present in adult elastic vessels. “Close contacts” are present between muscle cells in the same and some adjacent layers and are considered to provide a pathway for the spread of impulses between muscle cells. Large bundles of AChE-positive nerve fibers and small ganglia were seen in the adventitia. Smaller nerve bundles were seen extending into the outer third of the media where they were present in both the muscle and connective tissue lamellae. Nerve fibers were separated from muscle cells by a distance of from 2 μ to 75 A. On the basis of their intra-axonal vesicles, especially the small granular vesicles (600–800 A) and their AChE activity it seems likely that both adrenergic and cholinergic nerves are present in these vessels.
Relative expression of genes encoding SMAD signal transduction factors in human granulosa cells is correlated with oocyte quality

To determine the expression of SMAD transcripts in human granulosa cells. Luteinized mural granulosa cells were harvested from forty women undergoing oocyte retrieval, and RNAs were isolated. SMAD expression levels were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (q-RTPCR). SMAD1-7 and 9 are expressed in human granulosa cells, with SMAD2, 3 and 4 showing the highest expression levels. Peak estradiol (E2) levels correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved during IVF. Oocyte number showed no correlation with SMAD expression levels or ratios. Fertilization rates also did not correlate with the expression levels of individual SMADs, but did correlate with higher SMAD4:SMAD3 ratios (p = 0.0062) and trended with SMAD4:SMAD2 (p = 0.0698). SMAD transcripts are differently expressed in human granulosa cells, where they may mediate TGF-beta superfamily signaling during folliculogenesis and ovulation. Further, the relative expression ratios of SMAD2, 3 and 4 may differentially affect fertilization rate.